Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Psychological Outcomes in Obese Adult Women: A Study at Dilla University, Ethiopia

Obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat that interferes with the continual functioning of the body. Adequate body fat is necessary for maintaining health and proper bodily functions. Nevertheless, when fat surpasses normal levels and distributes throughout the body, it results in excessive fatness and obesity. These circumstances can hasten the onset of degenerative illnesses, present health challenges, and potentially reduce lifespans. The aim is to assess how twelve weeks of aerobic exercise impacts the anthropometric, biochemical, and psychological aspects among obese adult women. This research employed a quantitative methodology that involved a thorough and immersive research approach. Hence, a sampling frame was formed by a total of 70 obese adult women who were registered from the three campuses (main, Dilla referral hospital, and Odayaa'a) of Dilla University. The registered data/list was utilized to select participants through purposive sampling methods, and the researchers used this target population size as a Sampling frame. The BMI was the first general requirement used to classify the subjects as obese adult women. Next, 40 samples of obese adult women who met all major and relevant inclusion criteria were chosen from the sampling frame, which was created using the whole registered data/list of obese adult women. The sample size was determined by using the registered total female population information.

The BMI formula uses weight (in Kg or pounds) and height (in meters or inches) to form a simple calculation that results in a measure of your body fat. The formula for BMI was devised in the 1830s by Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet and was universally expressed in kg/m2 (Alastair Hazell, 2020). It was calculated with the formulae,

BMI (Metric) = Weight in Kg / (Height in meters)2

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise training on anthropometric, biochemical, and psychological outcomes in adult obese women. To achieve the this, 40 adult obese women (aged 30-38 years) were selected using a purposive sampling technique from Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia, who do not exercise regularly and were willing to participate in the exercise regime participate in this study. All participants were asked to abstain from taking pain-relieving medications (if any) until the exercise lasted (it was informed & consent was obtained from all participants before the baseline data was collected. Obese women who were contraindicated from doing exercise, physically disabled, breast feeders, and sick at the time of data collection were excluded as a general scanning from the study.

The anthropometric and psychological data were collected by the Principal Investigator, and the assistance with the follow-up of advisors. The Psychological questionnaires were adapted directly as it was prepared in English, then finalized and administered in the Amharic language, which is widely spoken in the city. Questions about socio-demographic characteristics were directly adopted from the standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) questionnaire (Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia, 2011).