Die verband tussen fisieke aktiwiteit, middelomtrek en die gebruik van chroniese medikasie onder Suid–Afrikaanse mans

Abstract

The human body best performs when it is physically active. The consequences of inactivity can bring about many health risks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity, waist circumference and medication use among South African men. Men between ages 30 and 65 years (N = 5000, ͞x = 43.2; ± 8.55) were included in this study. With the use of medication, distinction was drawn between various ethnic groups. Subjects selected for this study are members of the same medical aid. The respondents that formed part of a non-random availability population and participated voluntarily were used in this study. According to the results, it appears that out of a total of 4 954 respondents, 58.3% had the lowest incidence of physical activity, 21% were moderately active and 20.7% highly active. WC appears much higher among those that fall within the lowest incidence of physical activity group. No significant difference was observed between moderately and highly active people. There are 11 members in the high Physically Active (PA) category that has the highest WC (X =131.5). When scrutinising the different ethnic groups it is obvious that moderate to high PA is associated with a lower WC. Chronic medication (CM) use is determined on the basis of the registry for chronic medication use of the relevant medical aid. Those who participated in the assessment of waist circumference, CM and PA consisted of 4 964 respondents. In this study distinction was drawn between three medical condition influenced by exercise, namely diabetes, cholesterol and depression and hypertension. The results indicate that CM use is associated with higher WC and reduced kCal consumption. The majority of respondents (78%) do not use medication and 21.9% do. Those that do not use medication showed to have the lowest WC. However, respondents that are highly active and also use CM showed a lower MO than those that are low and moderately active. It can thus be deduced that regular physical activity is directly related to one’s health.