Ignatius Onimawo
Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria
Title: Energy expenditure and body composition of female agric students in a Nigerian university
Biography
Biography: Ignatius Onimawo
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To access the energy expenditure and body composition of female agric students in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of seventy-five (75) subjects aged, 19-30 were randomly selected for this study, they are all females of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State. They all volunteered by filling the consent forms. Body composition was determined using anthropometric methods. Body weight, height, waist and arm circumferences were measured using standard methods. Body mass indices (BMI) of the subjects were calculated from weight and height measurements. Skinfold thickness was measured at biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdomen using skinfold calipers. The energy expenditure was assessed based on three (3) days energy expenditure diary using factorial method. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean energy expenditure for the female students was 2315.0 ± 419.25 kcal. The mean height values were 163.45 ± 4.82 for the female and weight value were 55.60 ± 7.70 for female The other anthropometric parameters determined include lean body mass, total body water and total skinfold thickness and BMI. The high energy expenditure was attributed to high energy level spent in farm activities which were manual and labour intensive CONCLUSION: The results showed that young female Agriculture students spent considerable energy in their practical work on the farms. A great majority of the female students had normal BMI.