Active Life: Body CompositionAnd Physical Activity InUniversity Community

Abstract

Introduction: Body composition is a method of analysis that allows differentiation between fat mass, muscle, water and minerals, providing key information about health. Its evaluation is fundamental, as it makes it possible to determine the percentage of fat and muscle, facilitating the identification of possible risks associated with different health conditions. Objective: Analyze the relationship between body composition and levels of physical activity according to occupation in a university community. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with a relational phase was developed, body composition was evaluated by bioimpedance using a tanita digital scale, and the levels of physical activity in teachers, administrative staff and university students were evaluated using the international questionnaire IPAQ short version. The population was the total number of teachers/administrators and undergraduate students. The final sample included 304 participants, the inclusion criteria were to be members of the educational community, enrolled students and hired workers. Statistical tests such as chi-square and wilcoxon were used. Results: The mean age of the students was 20.9 ± 2.5 years and of the administrative and teaching staff the mean was 37.69 ± 10.75 years. Regarding the percentage of body fat, male students had a mean of 17.07 ± 5.57% and female students had a mean of 29.2 ± 6.1%, indicating a slight overweight in men and an evident overweight in women. In administrative and teaching staff, the average body mass index was 25.7 ± 4.1 in men and 25.6 ± 3.9 in women, placing them in the overweight category. Conclusion: There was evidence of a relationship between body composition and levels of physical activity, which highlights the importance of designing strategies to promote healthy habits in the university community.