A study of physical activity and plasma cholesterol In Ghanaian males using a single question

Abstract

Sixty-four adult males aged 31-40'ears. provided responses to the question "Are you involved in any form of regular exercise aimed at improving your physical fitness? The aim of the study was to utilize a single question as tool to investigate the exercise status of a sample male population by evaluating its association with some key parameters known to be linked with physical exercise, namely HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and body mass index (BMI), Fasting blood was drawn for plasma cholesterol determinations. and BMI cholesterol body weight (Kg) divided by height (m) squared. i,e, Kg/m2. The study showed that respondents involved in regular. moderately Vigorous exercise (intensity level of 8-12 METs) had a significantly lower mean plasma LDL cholesterol (p<O,05), a lower BMI (p< 0.05), and a higher HDL-cholesterol (p<O,05) than respondents Who did not participate in any form of exercise Mean total plasm cholesterol was however not difficult between exercising and non-exercising subjects (p>0.10), The present study Validates the use of exercise questionnaires as a tool to generate exercise information and suggests its use in large scale epidemiological studies,