The body fat percentage distribution in a young adult female population of a Sri Lankan University

Abstract

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O bjectives: To determ ine the body fat percentage (BF% ) distribution in fem ale undergraduates (age group 20- 26years) residing in hostels o f U niversity o f Sri Jayew ardenepura (USJP). M eth o d s: A cross sectional study w as perform ed am ong 367 females, random ly selected using hostel registries (O besity prevalence o f Sri Lankan fem ales =36.5% ). H eight was m easured using stretch-resistant m easuring tape to the nearest 0 1cm according to N ational H ealth and N utrition Exam ination Survey (N H A N ES) guidelines. B F% values w ere taken using K arada Scan®, B ody fat analyzer (B ioelectrical Im pedance A nalysis). D ata analysis was perform ed using SPSS 16. Ethical Clearance w as obtained from Ethics R eview Com m ittee, Faculty o f M edical Sciences, U niversity o f Sri Jayew ardenepura. The cut-off m arks w ere taken according to the m anufacturer’s specifications. R esults: In study population 4.1 % w ere w ith low BF% (5 % -19.9%), 59.1 % were w ith norm al B F% (20.0% -29.9% ), 28.9% w ere w ith high B F% (30.0% -34.9% ) and 7.9% were w ith very high B F% (35.0% -50.0% ). W hen considering B F% distribution in different areas o f the body, the highest fat % was seen in arm s w ith a m ean o f 40.57% (SD ±5.5). The low est fat% w as seen in the trunk w ith a m ean o f 19.41% (SD ±4.5). M ean fat% in the legs was 35.39% (SD ±6.2). H igh proportion o f fem ales (98.4% ) had norm al visceral fat levels (level o f 1-9) and only 1.7% w as in the risk level (level >10). C onclusions: A pproxim ately one third o f the study population (36.8% ), was w ith a high B F% . Since high body fat content can lead to m any disease conditions, they have to be advised on the im portance o f proper diet schedule and regular exercise.