Body mass index levels in students living in areas of military conflict

Iryna Kryventsova; Katarzyna Prusik; Victoriya Klymenchenko; Olha Sokoliuk

doi:10.15561/physcult.2023.0205

Authors

Iryna Kryventsova H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6931-3978
Katarzyna Prusik Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2960-5105
Victoriya Klymenchenko H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9431-8172
Olha Sokoliuk Municipal Establishment “Kharkiv Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy” of the Kharkiv Regional Council https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8811-7216

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15561/physcult.2023.0205

Keywords:

health, physical activity, young people, environment

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. At present, human health and related elements face ongoing risks from environmental conditions. Thus, regular tracking of health metrics gains significant importance. The research objective is to assess the BMI level of students residing in areas affected by the extended military conflict in Ukraine.

Material and Methods. The study involved students from three universities in Ukraine (96 men and 160 women). Prior to the experiment, these students had been living a sedentary life due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020) and the ongoing war in Ukraine (starting February 24, 2022). They spent a cumulative total of three and a half years in this challenging setting. Data gathering was carried out through a Google Form, which comprised details such as the student's name or alias, gender, height, weight, academic year, field of study, and university association. The PyCharm CE platform and a range of Python programming libraries were employed for the statistical analysis of the data.

Results. The study revealed that the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) values are 22.73 kg/m2 in males and 21.20 kg/m2 in females. Among women, the BMI breakdown is: 73.75% normal weight, 17.5% underweight, 7.5% overweight, and 1.25% obese. For men, the figures are: 69.79% normal weight, 20.83% overweight, 5.21% underweight, and 4.17% obese.

Conclusions. The outcomes stress the necessity of a tailored approach to body mass control, considering gender-specific, educational, and societal-cultural factors.

Author Biographies

Iryna Kryventsova, H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University

PhD of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor; kriventsova.ira@ukr.net; Department of Theory, Methodology and Practice of Physical Education; Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Katarzyna Prusik, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport

prusikkatarzyna@gmail.com; Department of Sports; Gdansk, Poland.

Victoriya Klymenchenko, H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University

lubich310@gmail.com; Department of Theory, Methodology and Practice of Physical Education; Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Olha Sokoliuk, Municipal Establishment “Kharkiv Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy” of the Kharkiv Regional Council

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences (Ph.D.), Senior Lecturer; olyiasokol@gmail.com; Department of Theory and Methodology of Physical Education; 7, Rustaveli Lane, 61001, Kharkiv, Ukraine.

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