Gender difference in MET score and waist to hip ratio in young adults

Abstract

Objectives: As per WHO, physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for non communicable diseases. Physical activity can be easily and conveniently measured in terms of Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) score. Present study was undertaken to observe gender differences in physical activity of young adults and to correlate it with waist to hip ratio. Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study including 224(94 males and 130 females) medical students aged between 18-25 years. In all participants MET score was calculated using IPAQ and WHR was measured. Results: It was observed that more males were more physically active than females. Also, males show statistically significant higher MET score than females ( 0.0001) . WHR was negatively correlated with MET in both males and females though it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: It was observed that there exists a statistically significant gender difference in MET score. Hence, in planning strategies to enhance physical activity gender may be considered.