~ 379 ~ International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2017; 4(3): 379-381 P-ISSN: 2394-1685 E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Impact Factor (ISRA): 5.38 IJPESH 2017; 4(3): 379-381 © 2017 IJPESH www.kheljournal.com Received: 06-03-2017 Accepted: 07-04-2017 Bidya Roy Research Scholar, Department of Physical Education, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Sanjit Mandal Ph.D Research Scholar, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Correspondence Bidya Roy Research Scholar, Department of Physical Education, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Effect of strong by Zumba on waist hip ratio of middle aged sedentary females Bidya Roy and Sanjit Mandal Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and health risk by measuring waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio. This study was carried out on 15 sedentary women aged 35-40. Four week Zumba strong fitness program was given to the subjects at a dance and fitness studio of Kolkata under 20°-24 °C. Prior to the study, body weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference of all the subjects were taken. Based upon these values, waist-hip ratio was calculated before and after the fitness training. Percentage of overweight and obese was 42% respectively prior to the training. Fitness is a good way to fight obesity hence Zumba strong was taught to the subjects. The effects of the Zumba strong were analyzed by using Paired sample‘t’ test. The obtained result showed that Zumba strong achieved significant improvement in total body weight loss and waist hip ratio (p<0.05). Keywords: Zumba strong, WHR, sedentary, obesity, over weight Introduction Increase in body weight and obesity is posing a real threat to health both in children as well as adults all over the world. Obesity has become a serious health problem in the developed as well as developing countries. The prevalence of obesity in women exceeds than that in men. Over weight and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancers, type 2 diabetes, hyper tension, osteoarthritis, gall stones, dislipidemia and musculoskeletal problems. Simple anthropometrical measurements are taken to rule out obesity and are more practical both in the clinical practice and for large scale epidemiological studies. Body mass index (BMI) which is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters is the most widely used and is a simple measure of body size. However this measurement does not account for variation in body fat distribution and abdominal fat mass. Excess intra-abdominal fat is associated with greater risk of obesity related morbidity than in overall adiposity. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) are the measures of visceral or abdominal fat mass. These measures are independent of height and muscle mass, have emerged as important predictors of risk of obesity related diseases and are thus very useful indicators of excess body fat and increased health risk. Measurements of WC and WHR are relatively simple and easier to calculate. It has been reported that WC and WHR showed significant association with myocardial infarction as compared to BMI (Medical Journal of Australia 2003). The purpose of present study was to evaluate waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) as predictors of health risk for being overweight amongst the sedentary individuals. Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety. According to WHO, 60 to 85% of people in the world—from both developed and developing countries—lead sedentary lifestyles, making it one of the more serious yet insufficiently addressed public health problems of our time. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of children are also insufficiently active, with serious implications for their future health. The craze now known as Zumba fitness is said to have started as a mistake by Colombian trainer Alberto "Beto" Perez. One day in the mid-90s, Beto reportedly forgot to bring his regular aerobics-style music tape to the group exercise class he was leading.