semmelweis university - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport ...

Vanda Pintér
Semmelweis University, Faculty of P. E. and Sport Sciences (TF), Budapest, Hungary
Supervisor: Dr. Martina Uvacsek, assistant professor
Body Composition and Physical Activity of Cypriot, Malaysian and Hungarian Male
University Students
Introduction: Most of the contemporary health problems appear to be associated with our
habits of living, including low levels of physical activity. The lack of regular physical activity
(PA) increases the prevalence of overweight and obesity which is known as a risk factor of
many diseases. Overweight problems might be prevented and reduced by physically active
lifestyle (Antal, 2009; Photiou, 2008). The aim of the study was to compare body composition
and physical activity of male students from different nations; to estimate the prevalence of
overweight and obesity and to establish relationships between percentage body fat and
physical activity indicators (MET, active days, sitting time).
Methods: 76 male volunteers of different Faculties of Physical Education or Sport Science
(36 Malaysians, 22 Cypriots, 18 Hungarians) took part in our study. Body dimensions were
measured according to ISAK (Merfell-Johnes M., 2006) method and physical activity level
was estimated using the short form of IPAQ (Craig, 2003.) Differences among the three
nations were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (p