University of Guyana

Faculty of Health Sciences

School of Medicine

MED 2204:
Community Field Assessment 1
The Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and
Selected Health Indicators among Students at the
University of Guyana
Supervisor: Dr. R. Gobin

Group Members:
ANDREWS, Stephen
MAHARAJ, Alexis
MILTON, Shafali
RAMNARACE, Oma
SAMAROO, Keshant
TUCKER, Rene

Table of Contents
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Abstract

Title:
The Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and Selected Health Indicators among
Students at the University of Guyana.

Introduction:
The Importance of Physical Activity
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results
in energy expenditure. It encompasses many forms of energy expenditure, such as
occupational or household or recreational. (Caspersen, Powell, & Christenson, 1985)
Numerous studies have concluded that adequate and regular amounts of physical activity
result in various health benefits. Included are reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases
(including hypertension, myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes), and certain types of
cancers; an improvement in bone health and functionality; and better energy balance- and
thus, weight control. (WHO, 2010)
Physical Activity disrupts the homeostasis of a person, due to increased energy utilization.
Metabolic and physiological compensations must occur. Lipids are very efficient energy
reserves because they can hold a large amount of energy (9 calories/gram). Physical activity
depletes these reserves, resulting in weight loss, often reflected in waist circumference and
Body Mass Index measurements. (Sherwood, 2014)
The cardiovascular system is greatly affected by physical activity. When fatty acids in active
muscles are oxidized to produce energy, oxygen demand increases. To meet this requirement,
heart rate increases to deliver more oxygenated blood to these muscles. Repeated physical
activity causes the heart to adapt by increasing its strength to efficiently pump more blood
without such a large increase in heart rate. Additionally, physical activity, particularly when
done regularly over a period of time, causes less resistance in blood vessels, and vasodilation.
These result in lowered blood pressure. (Friedrich, 2012)

Non-Communicable Diseases and Physical Inactivity Globally

Non-Communicable diseases are medical conditions which are not infectious, and cannot be
transmitted among people. Most times, these diseases are preventable. There are several
modifiable risk factors which many of these diseases share, such as physical inactivity and
obesity. (Kim & Oh, 2013)
The WHO has identified physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for global
mortality, contributing to 6% of deaths globally. It is one of the primary causes of many
major NCDs.(WHO, 2010)
Although not as well determined and documented as the burden of disease, the economic
burden of this physical inactivity pandemic is great, particularly in high-income countries,
where health care costs are exorbitant. In low and middle-income countries, the impact of the
disease burden is greater. In these countries, physical inactivity contributes largely to the
Disability-Adjusted-Life Years (the sum of the Years of Life Lost due to premature mortality
in the population and the Years Lost due to Disability for people living with the health
condition or its consequences) of the population. (Ding, et al., 2016)

Non-Communicable Diseases and Physical Inactivity Regionally

In the Caribbean, the severity of Non-Communicable Diseases has been pronounced, linked
to more than seven out of ten deaths. Since the 1970s the rate of obese and overweight
persons has steadily increased in all countries, across all age cohorts. Several country-based
surveys showed that the individual populations are too sedentary.
There is also significant economic impact on both the countries health sectors to provide
appropriate facilities for the management of these diseases; and on the individuals
themselves. (Matthews & Chao, 2013)

Non-Communicable Diseases and Physical Inactivity Nationally

From 2000-2012 in Guyana, it was estimated that NCDs caused 67% of the total deaths. It
was found that the probability of dying between the ages 30 and 70 from one of the four
major NCDs was 37%. (WHO, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Country Profiles,
2014)

Unfortunately, there have not been recent surveys investigating the fitness of the population,
but in 1999, a Physical Activity Survey was done, which showed that 51% of adults over the
age of 20 were overweight, and 22.4% of them were obese. Obesity increased with age, and
was far more prevalent in men than in women. (MOH, 2013)

Physical Inactivity and University Students

According to a Belgian study, the transition from secondary school to university is often
accompanied by unhealthy habits such as increased sedentary behavior. After analysis of data
collected via interviews, it was found that there are several determinants of said behavior.
Some of these were Individual Determinants (including self-discipline and convenience);
Social Determinants (peer pressure); the pressure of classes and exams, or the availability of
the internet. (Deliens, Deforche, De Bourdeauhuij, & Clarys, 2015)

Significance of Research:
Evidently, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases is a great one, especially for a
developing country like Guyana. An important characteristic of these diseases is that they are,
to a large extent, preventable. Increasing physical activity can enormously reduce the risk of
these NCDs. In order for such an intervention to happen, persons must be educated on the
importance of physical activity. The Universitys students represent a part of the population
that is the future of the country. They are at a stage where it is more likely to make lifestyle
modifications that can last; they can assist in educating others; and in these ways, reduce the
prevalence and burden of diseases occurring as a result of physical inactivity.

Literature Review:
In the vast variety of indicators that exist, the health indicators that the research team feels are
most indicative of a University aged populations health are body mass index, waist
circumference and blood pressure. All of these indicators are modifiable, and early changes
can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later on, which stresses the importance
of compiling a report on our local population. The reports and studies analysed are presented
with their final statistics and their researchers postulations and theories explaining their data
and derived relationships. Many of the studies investigating this relationship have been done
at universities, perhaps for being an easily accessible source of diverse populations.

Studies Done in Academic Settings

In 2007, a cross-sectional study was conducted by Martinez, Leiva, et al, to investigate the
cardiovascular risk factors in students of the Austral University of Chile, where 385 students
were selected. Like our study, some of the variables assessed were body mass index, waist
circumference, physical activity, and blood pressure. The results showed that 46% of the
population, particularly females, had abdominal obesity, and 28.6% were overweight, some
being obese. Sedentary behaviors were present in 87.8% of the population, especially in
females. Elevated blood pressure readings were obtained in over 60% of the population, with
35.1% being pre-hypertensive. Over 50% of the population had at least two of the assessed
risk factors.
Likewise, a study done by Tedesse and Alemu and published in 2014, focused on assessing
610 students, all 25 years old and under, at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, using the
WHO STEPS questionnaire. The same key risk factors and health indicators were assessed
and it was found that 7.4% of students had hypertension, with more men than women
contributing to this number. In addition, overweight and sleep deprived persons both had the
greater prevalence of hypertension. Interestingly however, the study showed that there is no
significant relationship linking smoking, dangerous alcohol consumption, and physical
activity levels with hypertension.
One study done at University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in 2014 is rather similar to the
study which the researchers intend on executing. 372 students were conveniently sampled in
this cross sectional study, where 140 (37.6%) participants were male and 232 (62.4%) were

female, with the main goal being to examine the association of different physical activity
intensity levels (intense, moderate and low) with weight status among the university students.
The results of this study show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among
university was 13.2% while 68.5% of total study population had BMI in the normal weight
category and 18.3% of total population were underweight. A point to note however was that
most of the participants were Chinese, and in a study conducted by Sakamaki et al stated that
the prevalence of underweight among Chinese students was 16.6%; which is consistent with
the results from this study. 16.7% of the population engaged in high levels of physical
activity while 39.8% and 43.5% of them engaged in moderate and low level of physical
activity respectively. Contrary to the available literature, no significant correlation was found
between BMI and PA (p=0.153) in this study. The analysis indicated that the physical activity
level was not significantly related to the variables of body mass index. Both participants who
had normal BMI and those with overweight and obese BMI had higher participation in
physical activity which is the opposite of what most studies show. The presumed reason for
this discrepancy is that participants who are overweight and obese were more concerned
about their health problem and therefore they had tried to stay physically active.
Another study of similar magnitude and characteristics, is Physical Activity, Exercise, and
Sedentary Behaviour in College Students, done by Buckworth and Nigg at the Midwestern
University. A total population of 493 persons, of which 58.3% were women, participated in
classes and labs during which two questionnaires were filled out. The questions asked were
adopted from the National College Health Risk Behaviour Survey and the CARDIA Physical
Activity History Questionnaire. The study justified the known literature and highlighted the
fact that most college students spent almost 30 hours per week doing sedentary activities,
particularly studying. Male students spent more hours in on the television and computer than
women but they also engaged in more hours of vigourous and moderate intensity physical
activities. This study filled a gap that existed in the original 1995 National College Health
Risk Behaviour Survey but it possesses a key weakness, that is, the class in which the survey
was done, was a conditioning activity class and as such, participants would have naturally
been biased to participating in physical activity.
Perhaps one of the more interesting articles on NCDs and their risk factors, Impact of
academic exposure on health status of university students is a study in which the researchers
aimed to map the health status of 154 undergraduate students from a university in Portugal
with 2 years of follow up observations. The researchers utilised questionnaires to determine

sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics, such as alcohol consumption and

smoking. Students' weight, height, blood pressure and serum glucose were also measured.
The results illustrated a greater number of smokers, overweight, and physically inactive
persons in the exposed to academic life group when compared to those of freshmen. Based
on these findings, the researchers concluded that attaining a higher level of education did not
assure nor favour a healthier lifestyle, and there was simply a lack of concern about noncommunicable diseases, even to those who were aware of their existence and preventative
measures.
Studies Done Out of Universities
Though one study indicated that education does not play a role in a persons attitude towards
their health, the research team nevertheless reviewed several studies done out of the academic
environment.
In an attempt to control the burden of NCDs on the political bodies of countries, the UN
facilitated a High Level Meeting to discuss NCDs and their risk factors. As a result, many
countries chose to undertake vast surveys to determine the prevalence and effects of NCD
risk factors. One such study took place in Punjab, Northern India by Thakur, Jeet and their
team, in which the WHO STEPS survey was utilised. A total of 5,127 persons were part of
the study. Tobacco and Alcohol consumption was found to be the norm in 11.3% and 15%
respectively. Low levels of physical activity were recorded among 31% while the prevalence
of overweight and obesity was 28.6% and 12.8% respectively. Central obesity was more
evident in women at 69.3% than men at 49.5%. The prevalence of diabetes was 14.3% and
hypertension at an astonishing 40.1%. With approximately half of Guyanas population being
of Indian descent, a study like this can play a significant role in assessing the same data for
Guyana.
Patel, Mishra, and their research team conducted a study in Gujarat, India which studied the
correlation between exercise, body mass index, and heart rate using a sample population of
57 persons, of which 45 attended gymnasium, and 12 did not, all being above the age of 18.
Some of these individuals engaged in mild exercise, some moderate and some strenuous, with
groups exercising for varying durations. The mean BMI of the subjects after the period of
study showed a statistically significant reduction, especially in females. The results also
showed that the more often one exercised for approximately 60 minutes, the greater the BMI
decrease. Meanwhile, the group not attending the gymnasium showed no significant change

in body weight. The team therefore concluded that exercise significantly affects BMI and
weight loss.
In the 1994 2007 study by Schwandt and Haas, in which 4,473 children and 6,829
adolescents from Germany, Iran and Brazil formed the population, waist circumference was
heavily pinpointed. The researchers found that a total of 7.0% of children and 10.5% of
adolescents had a significantly increased waist circumference. At the same time
overweightness and obesity are just as increased and diet-related chronic diseases like
diabetes, hypertension or lipid disorders, and cardiovascular diseases known from elders are
now observed in children and adolescents. The researchers concluded that globalisation in the
last two decades, influenced lifestyle and especially food patterns all over the world. In a
nutrition transition the consumption of dietary fat and/ or high-caloric meals and sweetened
drinks has been increased in developed countries as well as in developing ones. Finally
however, this study begs the question, why pinpoint waist circumference above the other
health indicators?

In a separate study by Savva, Tornaritis, and their team, waist circumference and waist-toheight ratio have been found to be better predictors for the presence of cardiovascular disease
risk factors than BMI in children. BMI seems to be useful for the prediction of high blood
pressure measurement in children but does not help in the prediction of lipid and lipoprotein
plasma levels. The researchers postulated in their conclusion that increased weight is
associated with higher levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and lower levels of
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In children, greater deposition of central fat was
associated with less favourable plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, blood pressure
and left ventricular mass with no visceral fat influence. They also concluded that at least 75%
of hypertension can be attributed to obesity in adults.

Finally, after countless hours of research reviews, a common theme seemed to develop. There
is a significant link between NCDs and their risk factors and the world is increasingly
worried about it, rightfully so. This was already well established however. What isnt
established though, is any data regarding these NCDs and their risk factors as it relates to
Guyana. Several countries and universities take it upon themselves to compile a statistical
database on their population. It is time the same is done for Guyana. It is only after obtaining

knowledge about NCDs in Guyana can we launch an effective campaign against them. It is
with this that the researchers wish to conclude with perhaps the most significant study found:
Conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and comprising of 2353 students, the
researcher aimed to examine BMI trends in college students, giving an insight of their health
status. The students were all enrolled in the class NUTR 100: Nutrition, Exercise and Health,
therefore giving them a nutrition related background. The class was asked to complete a
questionnaire, giving self-assessed height, and weight and asked to explain if they had any
nutrition related goals. The results showed that with an increase in age, there was an increase
in BMI, suggesting that younger students were more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Persons who were Obese Class 1 and 2, listed nutritional goals such as decreasing a certain
food group while person in the healthy category had nutritional goals which aimed at
increasing muscle mass. The researcher concluded that knowing their BMI strongly
influenced the nutritional goals and health motivation of an individual.

Hypothesis:
In students of the University of Guyana, there exists a relationship between their levels of
physical activity, and their health status, which would be reflected in various health
indicators.

Research Question:
What is the relationship between physical activity level and health indicators among students
at the University of Guyana?

Objectives:
1. To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and body mass index
among students attending the University of Guyana, from
2. To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and waist
circumference among students attending the University of Guyana, from

3. To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and blood pressure
among students attending the University of Guyana, from

Definitions:
Abbreviations:
BMI- Body Mass Index
DALY- Disability-Adjusted-Life Year
MOH- Ministry of Health
NCD- Non-Communicable Disease
PA- Pulmonary Artery
WHO- World Health Organization
WHO STEPS- The World Health STEPwise approach to Surveillance

Caspersen et al. define Physical Activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal
muscles that results in energy expenditure.

Kim and Oh define Non-Communicable Diseases as medical conditions which are not
infectious, and cannot be transmitted among people

The National Institutes of Health Defines:

o
o
o
o

A BMI of <18.5 as Underweight

A BMI of 18.5-24.9 as Ideal
A BMI of 25-29.9 as Overweight
A BMI of >30 as Obese

The National Heart Foundation of Australia defines Waist Circumference as a measure in

intra-abdominal fat. A waist circumference of >94 cm for men, and >80 cm for women
signify a health risk.

The National Health Service defines:

o A blood pressure between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg as ideal
o A blood pressure at, or higher than 140/90 mmHg as hypertensive.

Results
Of the 6222 students registered at University of Guyana for the Academic Year
2015-2016, proportional sampling of the 7 faculties was used to gather a
population of 442. This represents 7.1% of the total population. The population
was oversampled to cater for the elimination of cases where large portions data
were ineligible. For the remaining, 99 was placed in the space of any missing
variables.
Characteristics
Average Age

Male
22.987
1

Female
25.5296
17

31
89

39
176

70
265

114

180

294

RECREATION
Vigorous
Moderate

85
86

72
107

157
193

Average BMI

23.38

WORK
Vigorous Intensity
Moderate
Travel

Total

25.1369
34
Average Sys
122.47 112.355
1
4
Average Dys
78.458 78.7003
06
48
Average Waist
82.870 82.4832
Circumference
13
75
Table 1: Characteristics of Participants and Positive Response in Each Section

Section
Work: Vigorous Intensity
Work: Moderate Intensity
Travel
Recreation: Vigorous
Intensity
Recreation: Moderate
Intensity
Waist Circumference
BMI

Total
442
441
441
442
442
441
442

Blood Pressure
442
Table 2: Number of Eligible Entries in Each Section

BMI ANALYSIS
Vigorous Activity at Work
Underweight
Obese Class 2

Ideal Weight
Obese Class 3

Overweight
Total

Obese Class 1

Graph 1 showing the responses to the participants involvement in Vigorous

Intensity at Work and comparing these responses to the participants BMI.

Vigourous Activity at Work: Breakdown

Graph 2 showing those participants who did engage in Vigorous Intensity at

Work, the number of days on which they did such activity and their resulting BMI

Moderate Activty at Work

Graph 3 showing the responses to the participants involvement in Moderate

Intensity at Work and comparing these responses to the participants BMI.

Moderate Activity at Work: Breakdown

Graph 4 showing those participants who did engage in Moderate Intensity at

Work, the number of days on which they did such activity and their resulting BMI

Travel by Walking/ Cycling

Graph 5 showing the responses to the participants involvement in Travelled by

walking/cycling and comparing these responses to the participants BMI.

Travel by Walking/ Cycling: Breakdown

Graph 6 showing those participants who did engage in travelling by

Walking/Cycling, the number of days on which they did such activity and their
resulting BMI

Vigorous Intensity Recreational Activity

Graph 7 showing the responses to the participants involvement in Vigorous

Intensity Recreational Activity and comparing these responses to the
participants BMI.

Vigorous Intensity Recreational Activity: Breakdown

Graph 8 showing those participants who did engage in Vigorous Intensity

Recreational Activity the number of days on which they did such activity and
their resulting BMI

Moderate Intensity Recreational Activity

Graph 9 showing the responses to the participants involvement in Vigorous

Intensity Recreational Activity and comparing these responses to the
participants BMI.

Moderate Intensity Recreational Activity : Breakdown

Graph 8 showing those participants who did engage in Moderate ntensity

Recreational Activity the number of days on which they did such activity and
their resulting BMI

WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE ANALYSIS

Waist Circumference

Women

Men

Graph 11 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range

Vigorous Intensity Activity at Work

Graph 12 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range, and their involvement in vigorous intensity activity at work.

Moderate Intensity Activity at Work

Graph 13 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range, and their involvement in moderate intensity activity at work

Travelling by Walking/Cycling

Graph 14 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range, and their involvement in vigorous intensity activity at work

Vigorous Intensity Recreational Activity

ENGAGED

DID NOT

Graph 15 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range, and their involvement in vigorous intensity recreational activity

Moderate Intensity Recreational Activty

engaged

did not

Graph 16 showing number of participants with waist circumference above and in

the ideal range, and their involvement in moderate intensity recreational activity

BLOOD PRESSURE ANALYSIS

Blood Pressure

Men

Women
Below 140/90

Above 140/90

Graph showing number of participants with high blood pressure

Physical Activity of Participants Above 140/90

Graph showing the physical activity of Participants with high blood pressure

Discussion:
In the final analysis of the data collected, several trends and relationships can be identified.
Of the 442 persons interviewed, 335 (75.8%) were engaged in either vigourous intensity or
moderate intensity activities as part of their work routine. 70 of these persons (15.8%) were
engaged in vigourous intensity activities. Of the 70 persons, 48.6% were found to be in the
ideal weight range, while 44.3% were overweight or obese.
372 persons (84.2%) did not engage in vigourous intensity activities. Of the 372 persons,
58.3% were either in the underweight range or the ideal weight range while 41.7% were
found to be above the ideal weight range. The researchers believe that this is a reflection of
the fact that a large portion of persons with a university level education are usually indoor
and engage in sedentary jobs.
More persons (60.1%) responded positively regarding participation in moderate intensity
activities as part of their work. Of these 265 persons, 47.9% fell into the ideal weight BMI
range, while 12.5% were underweight, and 39.6% were either overweight or obese. More
than half (54.3%) of persons that engaged in moderate intensity activities as part of their
work did so for at least 5 days every week. This largely coincides with the average work
week in Guyana. Given that 68 persons (47.2%) who engaged in moderate intensity activities
for at least 5 days per week, fell into the ideal weight range, the researchers can infer that
constant moderate intensity activity, even if its part of work, can play a significant role in
maintaining a healthy body mass index. Interestingly, 41.7% of persons that did moderately
intense activities as part of work for at least 5 days per week were above the ideal weight
range, i.e. either overweight or obese. The researchers postulates that this may be accounted
for by the fact that because these persons are so physically active, their muscle mass would
be greater than the average person, and BMI does not take into consideration a persons
muscle mass. Additionally, their caloric intake may exceed its utilization causing the subjects
to have an increased BMI.
With respect to travel, 294 persons responded positively, representing 66.7% of the studys
population. The research team believes this is as a result of the university campus vast layout
which requires students to walk for extended periods of time. Additionally, walking or
cycling is still considered a major transportation method in Guyana. 76.8% of the positive

responders travelled by walking or cycling for at least 5 days per week. This, once again,
coincides with the average academic week at the university. Of the 226 persons that travel by
walking or cycling for at least 5 days per week, 108 persons, were found to be in the ideal
weight range.
As it relates to recreational activity, 64.5% and 56.3% of the studys population did not
engage in vigourous and moderate intensity activities respectively. For those who did engage
in vigourous activities, almost 3 out of 4 persons (72.6%) were 25 or younger. The same can
be said for 69.4% of the persons that responded positively to moderate intensity activities as
part of their recreational activities. This lends the belief that younger persons are more likely
to take advantage of university recreational facilities. Furthermore, of the 157 persons that
participated in vigourous activities, 64.9% did so for 3 days or less. The research team
believes that this coincides with their free time, possibly on the weekends. Perhaps if time
permitted on weekdays, students may have been interested in vigourous recreational activities
more frequently.
Interestingly, 40.7% of persons that didnt participate in vigourous intensity activities as part
of recreation, were still in the ideal weight range, with just 45.6% falling into the overweight
or obese categories. This reiterates that the level of physical activity is not the only factor that
plays a role in determining a persons weight.
As it relates to waist circumference, of the 442 person population, 40.6% measured a waist
circumference above the ideal, while 262 persons measured a figure that is considered ideal.
However, 85.5% and 66.8% did not engage in vigourous intensity activities or moderately
intense activities either, respectively. Although such a large percentage did not participate in
any vigourous or moderate intensity activities in the work place, they were able to maintain
an ideal waist circumference. Generally, there were more women with an above ideal waist
circumference (53.7%), regardless of the activities that they were involved in. In relation to
the number of persons with an above ideal circumference, women were the more prevalent
number, at a staggering 86%.
From the population count, 41% possessed an ideal waist circumference and travelled by
cycling/walking for at least 10 minutes consecutively. Contrarily, 18.1% did not travel in a
similar fashion, but still managed to maintain an ideal waist circumference. Almost a quarter
of our sample size travelled but had an above ideal waist circumference with a large
proportion being female.

As it pertains to the relationship between recreational physical activity and waist

circumference, 30.2% and 26.8% of the sample population had above ideal waist
circumference and did not engage in any vigourous intensity recreational activity and
moderately intense recreational activities respectively.
Though physical activity isnt the only contributing factor to weight, weight isnt the only
health indicator that physical activity affects. Physical activity also plays a role in a persons
average blood pressure. Of the 442 participants, only 15 cases, representing 3.3% of the
population, had a blood pressure of at least 140mmHg systolic and 90mmHg diastolic. This
further divides into 6 men and 9 women. As it pertains to men, of the 6 men with elevated
blood pressures, no one had a vigorously intense job. However, exactly half of the cases
participated in vigourous intensity activities as part of recreation and the same number of
persons walked or cycled for 10 minutes continuously. Two of the nine women answered
negatively to every question as it relates to physical activity, while the majority of women
were more likely to be engaged in moderately intense work or traveling by walking/cycling
for 10 minutes continuously.

Recommendations:
Overweight and obesity are conditions of excess weight that normally result from either
excess energy intake (food) and/or insufficient physical activity. 44.3% of the total research
population was found to be overweight or obese. Critical health markers such as BMI, Waist
Circumference and Blood Pressure together provide strong evidence needed to give a clearer
picture of Health Risk. 84.2% of the study population did not engage in vigorous intensity
activity which could be a reflection of the university students possible sedentary lifestyle or
being indoors for the greater part of the day. This poses some health risk since none of the
benefits of physical activity would be attained by this particular group in the research
population. There is critical need for the integration of efforts and resources by the university
administration, various student bodies and government to develop physical activity programs
aimed at promoting participation in physical activity at the University of Guyana. Most
students would most likely not engage themselves in any form of intense sporting activity let
alone any physical activity besides walking to classes or to and from their form of
transportation. It is recommended that basic tests such as BMI, Blood Pressure and Waist
Circumference be emphasized and routinely done around the campus. BMI alone is less

accurate for assessing healthy weight in some groups of people, as it does not distinguish
between the proportion of weight due to fat or muscle. Additionally waist circumference is
less reliable in some situations, including medical conditions where there is distension of the
abdomen (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2014). Only a small percentage (3.3%) of the total population
had above ideal blood pressure readings with the majority of these individuals being involved
in some sort of moderate or physical intense activity. Prevention has to start at the community
level, with people being better informed and equipped to take care of their own health. An
estimated 80% of the causes of cardiovascular disease and diabetes could be prevented
simply through exercise, healthy diet and by cutting back on smoking (MOH 2013). All
participation in physical activity for this study was self-reported and recall bias may have
occurred when persons were asked to remember patterns of their activity in the past. For
future studies the BMI and waist circumference can serve as positive indicators of overweight
and obesity and the blood pressure levels can similarly be used as an indicator of persons
likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Regular BMI and waist circumference screening
is recommended as an easy and effective means of assessing body weight and in the
prevention of weight related diseases in adults.

Conclusions:
Upon analysis of the data, it can be deduced that there is a significant link between physical
activity level and BMI since it was found that 48.6% of persons who engaged in moderatevigorous levels of activity were found to be in the ideal BMI range. As it relates to waist
circumference and physical activity, persons who had an ideal waist had travelled
continuously for at least 10 minutes by foot/bicycle which might be due to the fact that low
intensity activity for extended periods utilizes fat more efficiently. Finally, only 3.3% of the
population had a blood pressure of 140mmHg over 90mmHg. Though 5 out of the 15 persons
answered negatively for the physical activity, this indicated that there is another contributing
factor outside the scope of this study.