AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON BODY COMPOSITION VARIABLES BETWEEN MALE COLLEGE STUDENTS OF PUNJABI UNIVERSITY PATIALA

Abstract

For the purpose of the study, total number of 1200 subjects age ranged from 19-25 years old were selected from PUNJAB state. The subjects were obtained from 12 different constituent colleges from Punjabi University Patiala. Among them, 1200 Male students (100 from each college) were chosen for the study. Similarly, these male students were selected who were pursuing other professional degree courses like B.A. M.A. in Arts were chosen from other colleges. The subjects were made thoroughly aware regarding the objectives of the study. The obtained data was analyzed through individual t test at the level of significance 0.05 and the results indicates that there were showed significant inter-college differences—triceps skinfold (means: 12.5–15.0 mm, F=3.99, p<0.001), subscapular (14.1–18.4 mm, F=5.97, p<0.001), suprailiac (12.1–15.9 mm, F=5.29, p<0.001), and calf (11.1–13.9 mm, F=4.20, p<0.001)—with post hoc tests confirming urban-adjacent higher fat (e.g., Ghanaur vs. Moonak: +2.5–4.3 mm across sites, p<0.01). This is robustly supported by urbanization studies in India, where sedentary behaviours and processed food access elevate subcutaneous fat; the NFHS-5 (2019-21) reports urban males aged 15-24 have 26.6% overweight prevalence vs. 14.3% rural, mirroring our urban means (e.g., Ghanaur: 15.0 mm triceps) exceeding rural (Moonak: 12.5 mm) by ~20%. A Punjab-specific study found urban adolescents had 15-25% higher skinfolds due to reduced physical activity and higher caloric intake (Kaur & Talwar, 2011), aligning with our central site emphasis (subscapular F=5.97 highest, reflecting android fat patterns). Levene's violations (p<0.01) indicate broader urban variability (SDs 3.8–4.4 mm), consistent with diverse urban diets, as per ICMR-INDIAB (2017) noting urban fat heterogeneity