Influence of Body Mass Index on Visual Reaction Time: A Cross-sectional Analytical Study
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2015, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Aims: To determine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT) in medical students. Study Design: Cross-sectional Analytical Study. Place and Duration of Study: Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia, between October 2014 and November 2014. Methodology: We included 112 students (47 men, 65 women; age range 17-27 years) without medical conditions including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes, which are known to affect cognitive function. Students were asked to complete a standard questionnaire before having their height measured using calibrated measuring tape in Frankfort plane, recorded to nearest 1cm and their weight measured using electronic weighing balance, recorded to nearest 0.1 kg. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using Quatelet Index, and categorized using Asian BMI. Visual Reaction Time (VRT) was recorded using validated Human Benchmark program. Results: Significant difference was seen in different groups in BMI, namely underweight, normal and overweight, with respect to visual reaction time. The other variables such as gender, ethnicity, caffeine consumption, fatigue level, exercise and handedness are not significantly associated with VRT. Conclusion: Underweight individuals have been shown to have prolonged median visual reaction time as compared to their normal and overweight BMI counterparts. Further study on this is needed as BMI may not correlate well with the body fat composition of subjects, for which we propose further study to use waist-hip ratio instead.
Authors and Affiliations
Choon Wei Ngo, Hui Ying Loh, Gee Anne Choo, Rammiya Vellasamy, Mogaratnam Anparasan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP348125
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2015/19194
- Views 50
- Downloads 0
Some Haematological Parameters of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Positive Patients Attending a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
Hepatitis B virus is a deadly viral infection that kills slowly if not treated and could be the underlying cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Some Hepatitis B positive patients may present with symptoms while som...
Interpupillary Distance and its Limits in South Western Nigeria
Aim: To determine the normal and extremes of values for interpupillary distance [IPD] amongst adults in Ogun State, South Western Nigeria. Methodology: A population based cross-sectional study. Multi-staged stratified ra...
A Brief Review of Mucormycosis: Report of Five Cases
Mucormycosis is an emerging and slowly rising fatal infectious disease in most countries. It is the third most common invasive mycosis after candidiasis and aspergillosis. Hematologic malignancies notably acute myeloblas...
Study of the Hormones Controlling Food Intake (Leptin and Agouti Related Protein “AgRP”) in Cannabis Smokers
Background: Leptin is an adipocyte derived hormone which is thought to be a key regulator of food intake and body weight. Agouti-related protein also called Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) is a neuropeptide produced in the...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome–a Neurological Spine Problem
Aim: To investigate if patients with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have more findings in the physical examination indicating nerve involvement from spine segments Th7-L1 than people without gastrointestinal disorder. St...