Relationship between anthropometric indices with physical activity, depression and blood pressure in the university students living in the dormitories

Medical science students as people responsible for health promotion in community are exposing to obesity, depression and hypertension related to their activity. The aim of this study was evaluate the relationship between anthropometric indices with physical activity, depression and blood pressure in students living in dormitories of of Semnan University of Medical Sciences.

In this descriptive study 253 medical students residing in dormitory were selected. Correspondingly, demographic information, nutrition and sleep status and depression score of students were complete. Physical activity evaluated by international physical activity questionnaire. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure measured with WHO guidelines.

Findings showed that the most of students (55.7%) were male with mean age 20.6±1.72 years. Mean of body mass index was 21.94±3.44 kg/m2 and 19% of medical students were overweight or obese. Mean of systolic pressure was 115.02±13.10 mmHg. 26.4% of students had depression and 62.84% had moderate physical activity. Depression score had significant relationship with waist to-height and neck to-height ratio (P<0.05). Mean of spend sitting time was 903.87±337.24 min per week and mean of equal to energy expenditure score was 2477.91±1525.17. Anthropometric indices such as circumferences of neck, waist-to-hip ratio, waist to-height ratio, neck to-height ratio were significant relationship with hypertension and obesity of students (P<0.05) but these indices were not significant to physical activity score (P>0.05).

It seems that distribution of fat in the body and indices such as waist to-height and neck to-height ratio correlated with hypertension and depression in students as health problems. Although, the physical activity of students was moderate, it seems that change in nutritional pattern, increase of sport activities and change in life style can be help to prevention of obesity and hypertension in medical students.