Several research studies indicate the increasing problem obesity has become
over the past few decades (Andersen 1999:41; Fox, 1999:56-60; Kuczmarshi et
al., 1994:205-212). Obesity, after cigarette smoke, is the leading cause of death
in the USA and a combination of diet factors and physical inactivity (two primary
contributors of obesity) leads to an average of 300,000 deaths per year
(McGinnis & Foege, 1993:2207-2212).
Previously little information was available on the effect of obesity on the
peripheral vascularization, and even less about the effect of obesity on arterial
compliance (Raison et al., 1998:299-303). Research indicated a decrease in
arterial compliance with an increase in body weight (Kumaran et al., 2002:7;
Sutton-Tyrrell et al., 2001:431; Tounian et al., 2001:1400-1404; Stepniakowski &
Egan, 1995:R567) however, contradictory research where no association
between obesity and arterial compliance was indicated, has also been found
(Singhal et al., 2002:1920; Mangoni et al., 1995:986). Mackey et al. (2002:16)
also found that an increased aortic stiffness is positively associated with lowered
physical activity levels.
A lifestyle consisting of moderate physical activity, has a positive effect on the
health, lowering of chronic illness risks, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
and the improvement of quality of lie in overweight and obese patients (Adams
et al., 2003542; Ferreira et al., 2003:1670-1678; Macera, 2003:123; Mclnnis,
200396; Kolden et al., 2002:447). Moderate aerobic exercise is also seen as a
potential non-pharmaceutical therapeutic method to increase age associated
decrease in arterial compliance in young, middle aged and older adults (Gates et
al., 2003:2213; Havlik et al., 2003:156; Seals, 2003:68; Moreau et al., 2003:865;
Joyner, 2000:1214; Cameron et al., 1999:653).
The objective of this study was firstly to determine the correlation between
obesity and vascular function in Caucasian women between the ages 19 and 56
and to determine which marker of obesity is the best predictor of a weakened
vascular function (see article one). The second objective was to determine the
correlation between physical activity, obesity and arterial compliance in
Caucasian women between the ages 19 and 56 years (see article 2). A total of
115 Caucasian women were recruited to participate in this study. Anthropometric
measurements and a comprehensive body composition profile was taken using
the BOD POD. The Finometer apparatus was used to measure the arterial
compliance and the sphygmomanometer to measure the subjects blood
pressure. The subjects completed the Yale Physical Activity Survey questionnaire
to determine their physical activity index.
This study seems to indicate a positive relationship between arterial compliance
and obesity which could be explained by the influence blood volume had in
determining arterial compliance. A negative correlation was found between
obesity and blood pressure where an increase in obesity caused an increase in
both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A positive correlation was found
between physical activity and obesity. The higher the activity levels were in this
study, the less obese the subjects tended to be. No correlation was found
between physical activity and arterial compliance. A clear trend, even though no
statistically significant differences, was found between physical activity and blood
pressure. The more active the subjects were, the lower their blood pressure
tended to be. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/485 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Nolte, Sulize |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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