The body mass index, the body fat index, and physical activity in university students in Djibouti

There is a lack of data on the body mass index, fat mass index, and physical activity of university students in Djibouti. This study aims to characterize these variables in Djiboutian university students. A sample of 80 students was considered, with 34 boys and 46 girls aged 18 to 25 years (22.03 +/-; 1.6 years and 21.53 +/- 2.1 years, respectively). The evaluated variables include body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI). Additionally, participants completed an international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). The BMI results show that the "normal weight" category is the most frequent in both groups, with no significant variation in BMI averages for boys and girls (21.9 +/- 4.58 kg/m(2); 22 +/- 4.32 kg/m(2), respectively). However, regarding FMI, analyses reveal a predominance of the "thin" category (52.17 % for girls and 52.94 % for boys). Furthermore, in total, the IPAQ showed that 62.5 % of the surveyed samples had a low level of physical activity, showing a negative correlation between physical activity and FMI in boys (correlation r = -0.451, p = 0.007) and a positive correlation in girls (correlation r = 0.300, p = 0.043). Although BMI values are normal for both sexes, FMI data revealed behavioral health risk factors. Finally, it is necessary to promote the practice of physical activity in university programs.