Gender Differences in Body Mass Index and Physical Activity of Students of the University of Tuzla

Background: This study was carried out among undergraduate students at the University of Tuzla (Bosna and Herzegovina) with the objective of examining gender differences in the body mass index (BMI) and the level of Physical Activity (PA) among respondents. Material/Methods: This study was conducted to: determine the body mass index (BMI) and the average weekly number of hours of sport activity in the last six months (PA). A research sample was made of female students (n=330) in the chronological age of 19.3+1.5 yrs, 60.7%, and of male students (n=213) in the chronological age of 20.0+1.8 yrs, 39.2%. Results: On average, the students (both female and male) spend 5.60 (5.03) hours on physical activity per week. Female students spend 4.05 (4.32) hours, while male students dedicate 8.11 (5.30) hours to physical activities. It can be concluded that in principle the students practice physical activities and recreation, but still 1/5 of all students are inactive. The obtained results for the BMI show that the majority of students are in the zone of normal values: female – 278 (84.2%); male – 157 (73.7%). Correlations between BMI and PA amount to (R=.214; p<0.01) and (R 2 =.046; p<0.01). The results of the T-test show a more significant statistical variable of differences between female and male students at the level of p<0.05. In comparison to female students, male students have 2.35 kg/m 2 higher BMI, and they are more active in physical activities for 4.06 hours in comparison to women. Conclusions: The focus should be directed to the education of young people, because they can easily adopt healthy habits that should be maintained for life. These results point out the necessity of an integrated approach to prevention and control of risk factors, particularly among youth.