Evaluation of biological age and its correlation with cardiac markers in medical students from western Maharashtra

Abstract

Introduction: There is a strong association between cardiovascular risk factors with that of body age or biological age than the actual age. As the atherosclerotic process start from very early age, young adulthood is considered as favorable period to develop interventional strategies to fight against cardiovascular diseases. Hence this study was an attempt to evaluate the biological age and to find its association with cardiovascular risk factors among Medical students from Western Maharashtra.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2nd year Medical Students. The information was collected from 184 students about their physical activity and anthropometric measurements. Body Mass Index, Waist circumference and Waist-Hip ratio was calculated. Body fat and Biological age was measured by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS version20.
Results: The mean body fat% of males (20.38%) and females (31.95) were above the normal limits ie. 5-19.9% and 20-29.9% respectively. the waist circumference and waist hip ratio for both males and females were found proportionately higher in those study subjects with >11 years of age gap between biological age and actual age. Similarly study participants with higher body mass index and body fat% in both boys and girls were found proportionately higher in those with age gap of >11years and their association was found statistically significant.
Conclusion: Cardiac indices like waist circumference, waist hip ratio, BMI and body fat% were significantly associated with the biological age.