P209 - DIFFERENCES IN FEMALES AND MALES IN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND BODY COMPOSITION

P209

DIFFERENCES IN FEMALES AND MALES IN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND BODY COMPOSITION

I. Birka^1,*, I. Polaka¹, I. Kojalo¹, L. Balode¹, D. Razuka-Ebela¹, M. Leja¹, D. Santare¹

¹Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Riga, Latvia

Rationale: Exercise and lifestyle factors may affect obesity differently in males and females. We evaluated the associations between physical activity, daily sitting time, and smoking with body mass index (BMI), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and waist-to-hip ratio (WRH). 

Methods: We evaluated 7200 participants aged 40-64 from the GISTAR study conducted in Latvia between 2013 and 2023¹. We used linear regression analysis to examine the associations of intense (IPA) or moderate (MPA) physical activity using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire², daily sitting (h) (ST) and smoking habits with BMI, SAD and WRH. 

Results: For males, lower BMI was significantly associated with IPA (p<0.001) and MPA (p=0.023). Lower SAD was associated with IPA (p<0,001) and MPA (p<0.001), while higher SAD was associated with more smoking pack years (p<0.001). Lower WHR was associated with increased MPA (p<0.001). For females, higher BMI was associated with increased IPA (p=0.049) and longer ST. Increased SAD was also associated with increased IPA (p=0.003) and longer ST (p<0.001), whereas lower SAD was associated with increased MPA (p=0.03). Higher WHR was associated with increased IPA (p=0,007), while lower WHR - with increased MPA (p=0.001). 

Conclusion: Increased IPA and MPA are associated with improved obesity parameters in males. In females, MPA is beneficial, while IPA shows contrasting effects. Prolonged sitting negatively impacts SAD in females, while smoking is associated with increased SAD in males.

References: 1. Leja M, Park JY, Murillo R, et al. Multicentric randomised study of Helicobacter pylori eradication and pepsinogen testing for prevention of gastric cancer mortality: the GISTAR study. BMJ Open 2017;7. 2. World Health Organization: Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. In Proceedings of the 57th World Health Assembly. 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2-18.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared