Anthropometric, dietary and biochemical assessment in Ssireum players and obese men

Ssireum, a traditional Korean sport, is very popular at both amateur and professional levels. Players are prone to obese which could be a cause of chronic disease later life. Method Participants were classified into three groups, Ssireum players group (n=15, SP), training obese men (n=15, TOM, 3 times/wk, 20 min/time), non training obese men group (n=14, NTOM ). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, fat mass, lean body mass(LBM), triceps and thigh skin‐fold thickness, mid‐arm (MAC), waist and hip circumference. Dietary assessments were accomplished using 3‐days food records, dietary diversity score (DDS), dietary variety score (DVS) and obesity related well‐being score. Blood levels of leptin, lipid and insulin were analyzed. Result LBM and MAC of SP were significantly higher than those of other groups. Total body fat, trunk fat and waist‐hip ratio of SP were significantly lower than those of other groups. Daily energy intake, DDS and DVS of SP were higher than those of other groups. Blood level of leptin was significantly lower in SP than in other groups. There were no differences among the 3 groups in regard to the levels of total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol and glucose. Summary Lean body mass and obesity related well‐being were higher in Ssireum players. Lipid profiles were not significantly different between Ssireum players and obese men. However, leptin level was low in Ssireum players.