The differences in fat accumulation and distribution in female students according to their level of activity

Abstract

PurposeThe appropriate percentage of body fat is essential for women’s health and biological condition. both accumulation of fat and distribution pattern of adipose tissue are connected with health risk, which justifies the investigation and permanent monitoring of their diversity in different sub-populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the percentage of body fat and its distribution in female students representing different physical activity levels.MethodsFat proportion was estimated with use of classic anthropometric method and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The distribution of subcutaneous fat was calculated including waist and hip circumferences, and extremities and trunk skinfolds. The participants’ level of physical activity was determined according to the IPAQ questionnaire.ResultsAnalysis showed that female students with medium level of physical activity had 26.5 ± 5.1% of total body fat estimated by BIA, whereas in the most active females almost 3% lower total body fat values were common. The bioelectrical impedance analysis indicated about 8% higher body fat content than classic anthropometry. Examined skinfolds revealed a tendency to decrease with increasing physical activity. The distribution pattern of subcutaneous fat varied according to level of activity.ConclusionsThe study showed that estimation of fat content in young women differed depending on the applied method and the level of physical activity. We emphasize the need to select adequate reference data for measurement methods and consider the level of physical activity during fat percentage assessment. Another conclusion is that the high level of physical activity is connected with masculinization of subcutaneous fat pattern, both in extremities/trunk fat proportion and waist/hip proportion.