Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Lipid Profiles in University Students from Popayán (Cauca, Colombia)

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are pathologies that are increasing every day. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between anthropometric variables and lipid profiles in a sample of young university students, which leads to taking future prevention actions. Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with a sample of 182 university students (88 women and 94 men), whose anthropometric variables and lipid profiles were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 20 software. The sample distribution was analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or percentage, as applicable. Significance was established under the Pearson's correlation coefficient with p ≤0.05 value. Partial correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between each of the anthropometric risk indices and lipid profile values. Results: 46.7% of the population were overweight classifies as low-risk for waist circumference (45.1%), finding that the body adiposity index was healthy for their age in 64.5% of the participants. As for lipid profile, normal values for triglycerides were found in 60.4% of the participants and optimal values for total cholesterol in 56%. Correlational analysis with a significance of p≤0.005 was positive for gender with anthropometric variables such as Body Mass Index and waist circumference. Discussion: Anthropometric characteristics are closely related to the lipid profile behavior, as shown in this study, and the different research studies conducted with university students. Conclusions: Anthropometric variables are positively related to the gender of university students, finding an association between total cholesterol and triglycerides, which indicates a health risk factor.