Physical Activity and Life Quality of Part-Time Students

Physical activities are important for everyone in order to keep the physical preparedness and support an adequate level of life quality. Physical activities of young people – students are basis for keeping health capacity, working ability, developing business and carrier, and providing economic and social stability. Sport activities are very popular nowadays. Anyone can choose various sport activities that are suitable and available, that favour physical fitness and increase health status. Physical activities usually are planned during leisure time and weekends. We have provided a questionnaire about physical activities of student groups in period from 2012 till 2016. Studies have indicated the number of smokers, assessed results of questionnaire about physical activity, the body mass, body heights, and anthropometric indices. Results reflected that general physical activity level (in scores) in examined groups – part time students – were low for female and moderate for male. Recent research suggests that a significant percentage of students didn’t get adequate physical activity. We fixed increased numbers of individuals of both genders who have no any sports activity in the last years. The mean value of body mass index (BMI) for male was above standard. The amount of physical activity of working people has dropped and the resulting poor physical condition is becoming a threat to their working ability, health and well-being. Contemporary life style is connected to full time job that reduces the time dedicated to physical activities. The consequences of physical inactivity are associated to multiple health related problems. Musculoskeletal pathology is one of the most common work–related health problem, as well as an important cause of morbidity for population. It is an inflammatory and degenerative ailment that affects all individuals in working age. The aim of the study is to determine and evaluate the daily physical activities and their general level for the part-time students, give characteristic of anthropometric parameters for part time students.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Analysis of body composition of 9- and 10-year-old children in Latvia

Background and Objective: According to the data of epidemiologic research, the prevalence of both excessive and insufficient body weight is increasing in a pediatric population leading to the growing burden of health problems due to these changes. The aim of the study was to understand the current situation of physical development of 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls in Latvia and to estimate the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity among young adolescents. Material and Methods: During 2007-2009, a random sample of healthy 9-year-old (n=184) and 10-year-old (n=320) children from all regions and different socioeconomic groups of Latvia was surveyed in a cross-sectional study. The anthropometric measurements of height, weight, 3 circumferences, and 5 skinfolds were performed. The percentage of body fat was calculated by the equation of Slaughter et al. Body mass index and fat mass index were calculated for each respondent. Children were divided into groups according to these indexes. At the age of 9 years, 69.5% of boys had a normal nutritional level either by BMI or FMI, and 54.5% and 72.2% of the girls of the same age had a normal nutritional level by BMI and by FMI, respectively. Obesity according to BMI in 9-year-old boys was found to be 4.7% and in girls 6.1%; according to FMI, 3.7% and 2.3%, respectively. A similar trend was also observed in the cohort of 10-year-old children. Conclusions: The results of the research showed that the problem of high prevalence of Latvian children with underweight is not smaller than the problem of children with obesity. Evaluation of physical development in children based only body mass index may lead to overdiagnosis of obesity.publishersversionPeer reviewe