Changes in Body Composition and Increase in Visceral Fat measured by Bioimpedance in Nutrition and Dietetics students

Abstract

Introduction. Fat is the most variable component in body composition, which affects people's health, putting them at risk of presenting various pathologies, its study has aroused interest in recent years, especially in the evaluation of nutritional status. Aim. To evaluate body fat and the increase in visceral fat, by bioimpedance, as indicators of health risk, of Nutrition students. Materials and method. Descriptive cross-sectional research in which 106 students participated. Body composition was evaluated emphasizing visceral fat, musculoskeletal mass, and BMI, for which impedance equipment was used; the data was collected with prior informed consent. Statistical analyzes were performed using the SPSS version 22 statistical program. Results. An average body fat of 32.4% ± 6.14 and 22.1 ± 7.23 in women and men respectively, values ​​higher than those considered normal, are ruled out. Likewise, of the 75.5% of the population that presented a normal BMI, 35% present a high percentage of fat and total body, with the female  having the highest levels of body fat. Conclusion. Changes in body composition in terms of body fat and increased visceral fat can put the health of the population at risk, and its evaluation is important as a preventive measure against possible diseases.