engleski

Differences in body composition and cardiovascular system parameters in university students according to self rated health status

The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences between poor and good self-rated group in body composition and cardiovascular system parameters. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 129 university students. Self-rated health was assessed by using single- item question: ”How would you rate your health?” with five responses: (1) very poor, (2) poor, (3) fair, (4) good and (5) excellent. We categorized the outcome as “poor” or “good” health. Body composition parameters were assessed by using bioelectric impedance analysis. Differences between groups were analyzed by using Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Significance was set up at p<0.05. Roughly, 25% of participants reported having poor health. Group reporting poor health had higher % of fat-mass (p<0.000), visceral fat (p<0.000), heart rate (p<0.005) and body-mass index (p<0.000). Group with good health had higher values in % fat- free mass (p<0.000), lower values systolic blood pressure (p<0.001) but not and diastolic blood pressure (p>0.05). Our study shows that participants who reported having poor self-rated health had higher values in non-healthy body composition and cardiovascular system parameters compared with those reporting good health.

young adults ; good health ; poor health ; systolic blood pressure ; diastolic blood pressure ; heart rate

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