Gender characteristics of body composition indicators of medical university students according to bioimpedance analysis in the context of adherence to a healthy lifestyle


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Abstract

Introduction. The study of the relationship between students' lifestyle and their body composition is a significant area of research, as it contributes to a deep understanding of the impact of nutrition on the health and overall well-being of young people. The purpose of this study is to assess the gender-specific lifestyle of first-year students and their impact on some indicators of bioimpedance. Materials and methods. In this study, the results of a survey of 116 first-year students of the Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. were evaluated. Burdenko in order to identify gender differences in lifestyle and their relationship with bioimpedance indicators. Results. In the women's group, a significant proportion of students (49%) adhere to three main meals, 46% exercise regularly, and 70% consume 1.5 liters of water or more per day. In the male group, the situation did not have statistically significant differences: 48% of students follow three meals a day, 48% exercise, and 67% consume enough water. The analysis of self-assessment and body mass index did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups. In men, the average percentage of total fat was 27% less than in women, while the percentage of visceral fat in men was 27% higher compared to women. Conclusions. These results highlight the importance of taking gender differences into account when designing healthy lifestyle programs for young people.

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Introduction. Preventive medicine is an integral part of the public health strategy, and within this strategy, an important place is occupied by the study of the relationship between nutrition and human health. It is undeniable that proper nutrition plays a key role in maintaining health and preventing various diseases. However, there is a widespread misunderstanding of the importance of a healthy diet, especially among young people, who often face time constraints, social factors and financial constraints [1].
The younger generation, in particular students, is in a period of active formation of their life habits, including food habits. New living conditions, stress, and lack of time can contribute to an unhealthy diet characterized by an excess of fast carbohydrates and a deficiency of proteins and fats. Therefore, it is important to study the influence of students' eating habits on the composition and structure of their body.
This issue is of great importance for public health, as optimal nutrition will play an important role in regulating metabolism, maintaining a normal weight and preventing various diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the study of the relationship between students' nutrition and their physiological state is necessary to understand the impact of nutrition on the health and well-being of young people.
The aim of the study is to assess the gender characteristics of the lifestyle of first-year students and their impact on some indicators of bioimpedance.
Materials and methods of research. To assess the lifestyle, 116 students of Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko aged 18 to 20 years were surveyed. The participants were asked questions about the regularity of eating, exercising, drinking a certain amount of water, as well as assessing their well-being on a 10-point scale. Then each subject underwent bioimpedance measurement on TANITA electric scales, as well as anthropometric measurements [2].
Bioimpedance measurement is a method of measuring body composition based on passing a low-frequency electric current through the body. This method is based on the fact that different tissues in the body have different electrical resistance due to their different water concentrations. More hydrated tissues, such as muscles, contain more water and have less electrical resistance compared to less hydrated tissues, such as adipose tissue.
The study participants were divided by gender to evaluate, compare and interpret the data obtained. The study involved 74 women and 42 men. This imbalance of groups is due to the predominance of female representatives among first-year students.
For statistical data processing, the IBM SPSS Statistics 23 program was used using the Mann-Whitney U criterion, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
The results of the study. The following data on the lifestyle of first-year students of both sexes were obtained from the survey. In the female group, 36 people (49%) follow a regular 3 meals a day, 34 people (46%) exercise regularly, and 52 people (70%) consume 1.5 liters or more of water per day. Among men, the survey results did not reveal statistically significant differences: 28 people (48%) follow regular 3 meals a day, 20 people (48%) regularly exercise, and 28 people (67%) consume 1.5 liters or more of water per day.
Regarding self-assessment of one's condition on a ten-point scale, there were no statistically significant differences between the female and male groups. The average self-esteem score was 7.72 for women and 7.71 for men.
Comparing the body mass index (BMI), there were also no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The average BMI values were 22.64 kg/m2 in the female group and 23.51 kg/m2 in the male group.
However, statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of total and visceral fat. The average percentage of total fat in men was 17.25%, which is statistically significantly less by 27% compared to the average percentage of fat in the female group, which was 23.56%. At the same time, the average percentage of visceral fat in men was 2.33%, which is 27% more than in women (1.69%).
Thus, these results indicate the existing differences in body composition between male and female first-year students, which may have important consequences for their health and well-being [3].
Conclusion.
First-year students of both sexes demonstrate approximately the same propensity for elements of a healthy lifestyle. However, statistically significant differences were found, which are expressed in some aspects of body composition.
In particular, it was revealed that the percentage of body fat was higher in women compared to men. This may be due to the biological characteristics of the female body and its tendency to preserve fat reserves in order to maintain reproductive health.
Men have a higher percentage of visceral fat, which indicates a greater tendency to accumulate fat in the area of internal organs. This may indicate an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other complications associated with overweight and an imbalance of adipose tissue.
The revealed differences in body composition between men and women emphasize the importance of an individualized approach to health assessment and the development of programs to support a healthy lifestyle among students, including the prevention of the spread of unsuitable diets associated with their popularity in the "weight watchers environment" [4]. These findings can serve as a basis for further research and the development of targeted programs to support youth health.

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About the authors

Alina Vladimirovna Ulyanova

Voronezh State Medical University named after N. N. Burdenko

Email: alina.legostaeva9@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2638-5792
SPIN-code: 2100-0399
Russian Federation, 12 Studentskaya str.,394036 Voronezh, Russian Federation

Ivan Gennadievich Nenakhov

Voronezh State Medical University named after N. N. Burdenko

Email: rayhd@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7942-2844
SPIN-code: 9905-2934
Russian Federation, 12 Studentskaya str.,394036 Voronezh, Russian Federation

Ignatiy Andreevich Ulyanov

Voronezh State Medical University named after N. N. Burdenko

Author for correspondence.
Email: ilyanov.ignat@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1414-5406
SPIN-code: 5515-6885
Russian Federation, 12 Studentskaya str.,394036 Voronezh, Russian Federation

Yuri Ivanovich Stepkin

Voronezh State Medical University named after N. N. Burdenko

Email: rayhd@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1255-293X
SPIN-code: 7189-4861
Russian Federation, 12 Studentskaya str.,394036 Voronezh, Russian Federation

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  2. Применение метода биоимпедансометрии в исследовании здоровья студентов ДГМУ / Р. М. Рагимов, Х. А. Нурмагомедова, Н. М. Абдуллаева [и др.] // Научно-медицинский вестник Центрального Черноземья. – 2021. – № 85. – С. 113-119. – EDN HRIICD.
  3. Обоснование необходимости гигиенической оценки продуктов здорового питания, реализуемых среди населения Воронежской области / И. Г. Ненахов, Ю. И. Степкин, А. А. Константинова, А. С. Шпилевая // Анализ риска здоровью - 2023 : Совместно с международной встречей по окружающей среде и здоровью RISE-2023: материалы XIII Всероссийской научно-практической конференции с международным участие, Пермь, 17–19 мая 2023 года. Том 1. – Пермь: Пермский национальный исследовательский политехнический университет, 2023. – С. 222-232. – EDN LFOIBH.
  4. Гигиена питания: мифы о диетах и их распространенность среди студенческой молодежи / Е.А. Черномор, А.А. Зацепина, И.Г. Ненахов, Ю.И. Стёпкин // Молодежь - практическому здравоохранению: сборник материалов XIII Всероссийской с международным участием научной конференции студентов и молодых ученых-медиков. - 2019. - С. 441-444. EDN: BWULWA

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