Effect of Twelve Weeks Brisk Walking on Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Anthropometric Circumference of Obese Males

Authors: Kaukab Azeem

Abstract:

Introduction: Obesity is a major health risk issue in the present day of life for one and all globally. Obesity is one of the major concerns for public health according to recent increasing trends in obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. ( Kazuya, 1994).and hyperlipidemia, (Sakata,1990) .which are more prevalent in Japanese adults with body mass index (BMI) values Z25 kg/m2.( Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare,1997). The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of twelve weeks of brisk walking on blood pressure and body mass index, anthropometric measurements of obese males. Method: Thirty obese (BMI= above 30) males, aged 18 to 22 years, were selected from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The subject-s height (cm) was measured using a stadiometer and body mass (kg) was measured with a electronic weighing machine. BMI was subsequently calculated (kg/m2). The blood pressure was measured with standardized sphygmomanometer in mm of Hg. All the measurements were taken twice before and twice after the experimental period. The pre and post anthropometric measurements of waist and hip circumference were measured with the steel tape in cm. The subjects underwent walking schedule two times in a week for 12 weeks. The 45 minute sessions of brisk walking were undertaken at an average intensity of 65% to 85% of maximum HR (HRmax; calculated as 220-age). Results & Discussion: Statistical findings revealed significant changes from pre test to post test in case of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the walking group. Results also showed significant decrease in their body mass index and anthropometric measurements i.e. (waist & hip circumference). Conclusion: It was concluded that twelve weeks brisk walking is beneficial for lowering of blood pressure, body mass index, and anthropometric circumference of obese males.

Keywords: Anthropometric, Blood pressure, Body mass index

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1330467

References:

[1] Kazuya T. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Japan compiled from litterature. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1994; 24: S15-S21.
[2] Sakata K, Labarthe DR. Changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in three Japanese national surveys 1971-1990. J Epidemiol 1996; 6: 93- 107.
[3] Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. Collaborative study of Japanese Society for the Study of Obesity and Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. Epidemiological Studies on Obesity: Research Report in 1996
[in Japanese].: Tokyo; 1997.
[4] Martines-Gonzalez MA, Alfredo Martinez J, Hu FB, Gibney MJ, Kearney J. Physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity in the European Union. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999; 23: 1192-1201.
[5] Vioque J, Torres A, Quiles J. Time spent watching television, sleep duration and obesity in adults living in Valencia, Spain. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000; 24: 1683-1688.
[6] Shetty PS, James WPT. Body mass index- a measure of chronic energy deficiency in adults. Rowett research institute. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 56, 1994. Rome Ed. Aberdeen, UK.
[7] Ogden, C., Carroll, M., Curtin, L., McDowell, M., Tabak, C., & Flegal, K. (2006). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999e2004. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295, 1549e1555.
[8] Goran, M., Ball, G., & Cruz, M. (2003). Obesity and risk of type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 88, 1417e1427.