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Kineanthropometric and nutritional indicators for healthy control of physical condition

Abstract:

Introduction: Quality of life is a concept encompassing a large number of influential variables, including physical condition as a determining factor in many non-communicable diseases. The basic education university student community needs to exhibit good kineanthropometric and nutritional indicators for their eventual graduation, this being a condition required for professional practice. Objective: Determine kineanthropometric and nutritional indicators for the healthy control of physical condition among Education students from the Technical University of Manabí. Methods: A study was conducted of a representative random sample of 50 Basic Education students from the School of Philosophy, Humanities and Education Sciences (FFLCE) of the Technical University of Manabí. The parameters analyzed were body mass index, waist-hip fat percentage, total energy expenditure, daily calorie intake, and energy balance. Results: 50 % of the students were either overweight or obese, with a low physical activity index. 24 % had a normal weight-height ratio, but with a high hip-waist index, reflecting an accumulation of adipose tissue in the abdominal region. Additionally, 23 (46 %) exhibited a positive energy balance toward the intake, including two classed as slim or underweight according to their BMI. Conclusions: Results show that the students evaluated for body mass, waist-hip and physical activity indices are in correspondence with a positive energy balance, pointing to a trend toward an unhealthy lifestyle inconsistent with their functions as future educators.