Background: This research was conducted to study the effect of physical activity and psychological state on body composition in working and non-working women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 149 females (75 working and 74 non working) aged 32.4±5.6 years from lower middle income group, Mumbai city. Anthropometry and body fat were measured. Psychological status was assessed using structured questionnaire and total psychological score was calculated by scoring 1 for every positive emotion. Analyses were performed using SPSS software for Windows (version 16.0, 2007, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Data was presented using Independent Sample T-test, cross tabulations, chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation and Univariate analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in anthropometry or body fat of working and non-working women (p>0.05). 79.9% women had many things in life to be grateful, 34% had long list of everything to be thankful, 65.1% looked around and were grateful, 40.3% were grateful to wide variety of people, 65.1% took part in family decision making, 35.6% were member of social community, 57.7% liked to go to religious place, 81.9% had hobbies and 48.3% still indulged in hobbies while 65.8% felt lonely/depressed and 21.5% took anti-depressant drugs. The mean psychological state score of working women (7±1.7) was significantly higher than that of non-working women (5.9±1.9) (p=0.001). There was significant association of work status and activity level with higher percentage of non-working women been non-active as compared to working women (χ2=13.460,p=0.004). There was no significant difference in psychological state and activity level adjusted BMI and body fat of working and non-working women (p>0.05). Conclusion: Psychological and physical activity differed in working and non-working women. However, psychological state and physical activity does not influence BMI or body fat in working and non-working women of Mumbai city.
Keywords: Activity Level, Anthropometry, Body Composition, Body Fat, Non-Working Women, Psychological State, Working Women
