Incidence of health problems in relation with BMI and physical activity of college students

Steady decline in habitual physical activity in children and youth has resulted in an increase in body weight with age and a decline in functional ability. Hypokinesia in conjunction with poor diet and stress levels are prerequisites of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and obesity. In this partial research, being part of the VEGA research No. 1/1343/12 "Selected risk factors of obesity and exercise prevention", we looked at the incidence of health problems related to BMI and physical activity in college students. We calculated BMI based on anthropometric measurements of body height and weight. Using the questionnaire method, we collected data concerning subjectively assessed incidence of health problems and overall representation of physical activity (PA) in the lifestyle of respondents. The study group comprised 1,963 students, including 1,169 female and 794 male undergraduates from two Slovak universities. Health problems with the largest incidence were back pain, alergy, low blood pressure, headache, palpitation and respiratory diseases. Our research confirms that a greater representation of PA in students' lives positively relates to a lower BMI. The results of logistic regression confirm a significant relation between BMI and the following health problems: back pain, palpitation, high blood pressure, obesity, low blood pressure and respiratory illnesses. PA significantly corresponds with the occurence of health problems related to upper respiratory tract and high blood pressure