Gender disparity in anthropometric and fitness characteristics of university students

Status of anthropometric and fitness characteristics are usually considered as vital tools for health assessment. Although studies have reported that university students exhibit different health related lifestyles, gender comparative information on anthropometric and fitness characteristics in Ghana is scarce. The study examined gender disparity in anthropometric and fitness characteristics of apparently healthy university students. A cross sectional descriptive design approach was utilized. 120 randomly recruited university students (mean age 22.01 ± 2.29years, male, 67 and female, 53) participated in the study. Body weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, trunk flexibility and static body balance were measured in a laboratory setting. Results showed that male had higher age (P < 0.05), height (P < 0.05), waist circumference (P < 0.05), waist-hip ratio (P < 0.05) and static balance (P < 0.05) significantly. Weight (P < 0.05) and body mass index (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in female. The proportion of anthropometric and static balance characteristics of male university students was higher than female while trunk flexibility of male compared favourably with their female counterparts. To encourage healthy living of female in this study, flexibly modified and friendly physical activity programmes are recommended.