Intracellular and Extracellular Water Ratio in Students Evaluated by Bioimpedance in Post-pandemic Stage

Abstract

Introduction: Water is a physiological variable that can change with lifestyles such as sedentary lifestyles, and affect homeostasis especially intracellular water.

Objective: To determine the ratio of intracellular and extracellular water in students evaluated by bioimpedance who return to face-to-face classes post-pandemia.

Methods: Seventy-three students, 40 female and 33 male healthy volunteers with an average age of 21 years, asymptomatic, were investigated and their body composition was evaluated by bioimpedance. The ratio of total body water, intracellular and extracellular water was obtained to estimate their health after returning to the classroom after two years of isolation.

Results: The average body water according to electrical bioimpedance was 27, L in women and 38.3 L in men. No students were found within the ideal weight range. There was an average weight with higher values with respect to the ideal weight of 8.8 kg in women and 12.8 kg in men. Overweight was calculated by the average body mass index of 25.1 kg in women and 26.7 kg in men. Eight percent of the women and 15% of the men were underweight. 92 % of women and 85 % of men presented weight above ideal weight, with characteristics of overweight and obesity grades I and II.

Conclusions: 100 % of the students evaluated with bioimpedance, including those who were overweight and obese grades I and II, did present non-significant changes in the intracellular water to extracellular water ratio.