Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine if certain lifestyle and habits influence the characteristics of body composition among young females in Serbia. The research included 248 randomly chosen females between 18 and 29 years of age. Data about physical activity were collected via validated questionnaire. In determining body composition, we relied on the instrument InBody 720, which enabled us to define the variables: body height (BH), body weight (BW), body fat mass percentage (BFM%), skeletal muscle mass percentage (SMM%), and visceral fat (VFA). In addition, we determined variables indexed for body height (BMI, FFMI, and FMI). On the basis of the results of regression analysis, we selected a mathematical model with the highest degree of prediction for body composition (BSC) = 64.554 + (0.092 BW) + (0.107 BMI) + (1.001 FMI) + (1.353 SMM%) + (0.626 BFM%) + (0.079 VFA) + (4.894 FFMI). Our correspondents had normal BMI, above average % BFM, VFA—50.8 cm2 , FFMI in the range of normal and high and normal FMI. The score of physical activity (LSS) stood at the moderate level (9.29 3.72). LSS statistically correlated significantly with all tested variables of body composition, except with BW. The highest degree of correlation has been between LSS in relation to BFM% and SMM% (0.408 and 0.461, respectively).

Keywords: mathematical model, point score, questions, linear regression, index indicators
