EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND BODY MASS INDEX AMONG DENTAL PROFESSIONALS IN CHENNAI CITY, TAMILNADU, INDIA

AIM:  The aim of this study is to compare the physical activity, inactivity and Body Mass Index among the dental health professionals in SRM Dental College in Chennai city, Tamilnadu, India.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 268 dental professionals completed structured questionnaire devised to gather data on physical activity level, recreational activities, sedentary behavior, weight and height. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean physical activity scores among students and staffs. To correlate the physical activity, obesity and sedentary behavior the Kendall’s test and chi square test were used. RESULTS: The data showed the faculty members were more susceptible to obesity and overweight as to postgraduate students. Physical activity involvement is less among faculty members when compared to post graduate students was noted. There was no significance difference between males and females.      KEY WORDS: Obesity, Sedentary behavior, Dental professionals, Physical activity.