Evaluation of body mass index in women with a sedentary lifestyle and those practising various amateur physical activities, and the prevalence of menstrual cycle disorders in physically active underweight women

Background: The aim of the research was to assess the body mass index in women involved in various forms of physical activity including dancing (Tango-T), running (Runners-R) and exercising in fitness clubs (Fitness-F) compared to sedentary women (Control-C). An additional aim was to investigate the prevalence of disorders of the menstrual cycle in physically active women with body mass index <18.5.Methods and material: 683 women participated in the study (T:143, R:215, F:120, C:205). In each group, the mean body mass index value and the percentages of obese, overweight, normal-weight, and underweight women were calculated. The effect of age and training parameters on body mass index and the prevalence of menstrual disorders in underweight women were analyzed. The authors questionnaire was used in the research.Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) [kg/m2] was lower in the T (21.52.3, R:22.33.0) and F (21.93.0) groupscompared to the C group (23.64.7). In the T group (89.5%, R:76.7%) and F group (75.8%), more women had normal BMI than in the C group 55.6%. The strongest correlations between age and BMI occurred in the C group (r=0.41;p<0.001) and were weaker in the other groups: R:(r=0.18;p<0.01), T:(r=0.14;p<0.01), and F:(r=0.01;p<0.05). Menstrual cycle disorders in underweight women in the F group (50.0%) were more frequent than in the C group (4.3%).