An Investigation of University Students' Changes Occurred in Some Body Composition Measurements in Two Years

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the changes in the body composition and the obestity status of university students at the beginning and the end of the two-year period. Body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, fat ratio, muscle ratio, waisthip ratio and body mass index parameters of university students were measured at the beginning of the first year and at the end of the second year. The homogeneity of the variance of the data was tested using the Levene’s Test and the normality of the distribution was tested with the Shapiro-Wilk Test. In the analysis of all the parameters Willcoxon Test was used. Significance was determined at p>0.05 level. In the body weight, waist circumference and fat ratio parameters of the volunteers there was a statistically significant difference between the pretest-posttest values of female students (p<0.05); however, there was no difference in male students (p>0.05). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference in the pretest-posttest values of both sexes in muscle ratio, waist-hip ratio and BMI parameters (p<0.05). Both increases and decreases were observed between the parameters of the volunteers measured at the beginning and the end of the two-year period. It was determined that the body mass index values decreased and normalized in girls and boys who continued their routine lives, waist-hip ratio was in the risk group in both girls and boys similarly, and the girls were in the risky group regarding the waist circumference values. The findings revealed that following these parameters, which are the significant indicators of well-being, and taking necessary precautions play a critical role in the case of a health problem which may emerge in the future. Nursing students who are at risk while continuing their routine lives should lead a healthy lifestyle. We are convinced that nursing students who will serve the society to protect and improve health should be more careful about their body compositions in terms of both their health and social roles.