Comparative Study of Anthropometric and Cardiovascular Parameters in Healthy Sedentary and Non-Sedentary Subjects in the Nnewi Community

In this study, the associations between sedentary and nonsedentary lifestyles with certain anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters were investigated. The study populations consisted of four hundred (n = 400) randomly selected sedentary and non-sedentary adult male subjects in the age group of 25 – 55 years, from the Nnewi community, who satisfied the inclusion criteria. They were grouped in three (3) groups consisting of Group A (25 – 35 years), Group B (36 – 45 years), and Group C (46 – 55 years). Out of which 207 were sedentary and 193 were non-sedentary subjects. Anthropometric parameters such as: weight (kg), height (cm), waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm), and mid arm circumference (cm), and cardiovascular parameters [systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)] were measured. Results showed a statistically significant increase in anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters in sedentary subjects compared to non-sedentary subjects. There was, however, a significant positive correlation of waist circumference (coefficient = 0.161) than hip circumference (coefficient = 0.158). Among sedentary subjects, only waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) had a significant positive correlation with diastolic blood pressure (coefficient = 0.181, p < 0.01). This study provides clear evidence that there is a linear relationship between physical activities and health status among individuals wich can help in forensic identification.