Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Survey of Anthropometric Indices and Body Composition Changes at the End of the Second Semester, among Medical Students Entranced at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2012

Z. Salem^[1], M. Sheikh Fathollahi^[2], F. Khatami^[3], F. Iranmanesh³, M. Rezaeian^[4]

Received:.21/01/2014      Sent for Revision: 01/03/2014      Received Revised Manuscript: 07/06/2014     Accepted: 22/06/2014

Background and Objective: Many studies shown that students gain weight during their first educational year at college. The aim of this study was to detect the anthropometric indices and body composition changes among medical students entranced at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal study, samples were selected by census method (73 medical students) and assayed. Individual questionnaire was filled. Height and waist circumference were quantified by using a tape measure. Weight and body composition were measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) in three different stage; entrance, at the end of the first semester and at the end of the second semester. All data were analyzed by using repeated measures ANOVA and Fisher's exact test.

Results: Findings showed that anthropometric indices  and body composition changes at the end of the study, except the body fat percentage reduced compared to arrival time. Only the waist circumference and the body fat percentage were significantly different (p=0.044 and p=0.033, respectively). Comparison of anthropometric indices and body fat percentage according to the sex showed no significant difference at entrance time and end of study. Finally the percentage of overweight and obesity were based on body fat percentage lower than body mass index and waist circumference (respectively 10.2%, 22%, 15.3%.). Also with the same index underweight was lower than BMI category (10.2% vs 23.7%).

Conclusion: At the end of the study, the changes in body fat percentage and waist circumference were statistically different. The prevalence of overweight and underweight on the basis of three criteria-body fat percentage, body mass index and waist circumference- at the beginning of the study till the end of it, were not statistically significant differences observed.

Keywords: Anthropometric indices, Body composition, Medical Students, Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Funding: This research was funded by Occupational Environmental Research Center and Research Council of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

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How to cite this article: Salem Z, Sheikh Fathollahi M, Khatami F, Iranmanesh F, Rezaeian M. Survey of Anthropometric Indices and Body Composition Changes at the End of the Second semester, among Medical Students Entranced at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2014; 13(5): 407-18. [Farsi]