Author: Florin Marin Litoi
Affiliation
Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Background. Body structure parameters are essential health status indicators about gender, age, lifestyle, physical activity level, and other factors.
Aims. The study aimed to identify gender-based differences in body composition among active students aged 19 to 23.
Methods. This longitudinal study included 283 students, 144 males (50.8%) and 139 females (49.2%). The primary body parameters assessed were height (cm), weight (kg), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (kg), muscle mass (kg), bone mass (kg), and hydric mass (kg). The Tanita Health Monitor was used for body composition analysis, and an electronic stadiometer was utilized for height measurement.
Results. ANOVA analysis highlights statistically significant differences among the five male age groups only for BMI (p = 0.042) and muscle mass (p = 0.048). Among the five female age groups, significant differences were observed only for fat mass (p = 0.046). No statistically significant differences were found in the other body composition parameters among the five age groups about gender.
Conclusion. The differences recorded among age groups show a positive dynamic for all body composition parameters in both genders, with average values falling within normal reference limits in relation to gender and age. These findings underscore the importance of understanding body composition differences among students and can guide the development of future health strategies.
Keywords: height, weight, BMI, fat mass, muscle mass, bone mass, hydric mass.
Identifying differences between body parameters in young people according to gender and age
