Physical Fitness: A Proxy for Long-term Health Risks in Thai Adults
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Abstract
Objective: the lack of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are leading causes of obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. This cross-sectional study measured PA and PF levels in young male adults to determine associations with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). The null hypothesis was that there would be no differences in the associations, meaning neither PA nor PF identified those at risk.
Material and methods: the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to investigate PA levels of 624 Thai male undergraduates attending compulsory physical education courses at an international college. Height and weight were measured to determine BMI, and WC was measured to determine abdominal obesity. Three test items–standing broad jump, 4x10m shuttle run, sit-ups–were conducted to assess PF.
Results: 22% failed to reach the minimum threshold of 150 minutes per week of moderate PA as recommended by the World Health Organization. Using Asian BMI criteria, 16.7% were overweight and 25.2% were obese. PF levels were modest. Obesity was more likely in the physically inactive and the physically unfit. Additionally, PF was a better indicator than self-reported PA at identifying those at risk.
Conclusion: this cohort is sedentary in its PA habits, overweight, and comparatively physically unfit. These findings have long-term health implications. PF was better at identifying those at risk and as a proxy for future ill health may have diagnostic benefits in preliminary risk assessment.
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Critical thinking in journals is the right of the author. The Association of Health Education, Physical Education and Recreation of Thailand is not always required, to create diversity in ideas and creativity.
ความคิด ข้อวิพากษ์ในวารสารเป้นสิทธิของผู้เขียน สมาคมสุขศึกษา พลศึกษา และสันทนาการแห่งประเทศไทยไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นชอบด้วยเสมอไป เพื่อให้เกิดความหลากหลายในความคิดและความสร้างสรรค์
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