Physical activity, sensory threshold of sweetness, and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) in adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: The research objective is to reveal the correlation between physical activity and sensory threshold sweetness with a waist to height ratio in adolescents (WHtR). Methodology: This research was observational analytic using a cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted at State High Schools in the Districts of Jebres, Banjarsari, and Serengan in Surakarta City, which involved 140 adolescents aged 15-17 years. The physical activity data were obtained from interviews with the subjects using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) questionnaire, and the sensory threshold of sweetness data was obtained from the identification of the subject in a sucrose solution with different concentrations. The data of the waist to height ratio were obtained by dividing the measurement value of waist circumference by a height value. Results: The study showed that there was a significant link between the physical activity with a waist to height ratio (r =-0.602; p <0.001), and the sensory threshold sweetness with a waist to height ratio (r = 0.393; p <0.001). Applications/Originality/Value: From the results of this research, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between physical activity and sensory threshold of sweetness with a waist to height ratio (WHtR). Adolescents with abnormal waist to height ratio (WHtR) measurements (≥ 0.50) can carry out physical activity in sufficient quantities, and regulate food habits according to the needs of physical growth and development, especially limiting sugar consumption.