A Co-Relation Study between Body Mass Index, Duration of Computer Exposure and Yoga on Stress among Women in Information Technology Sector

Women in India have come a long way after independence from just a skilled homemaker to acquired skills and capabilities at par with their male counterparts. But still more conflict arises with the working women, who are exposed to stress.

Stress in working life may affect the body mass index (BMI) through bio behavioral processes and obesity has now been widely recognized as an important public health problem. Work stress promotes unhealthy eating habits and sedentary behavior and thereby contributes to weight gain. The current study would help in providing information of awareness of overweight and effect of overweight on sustained work with computer, as well as to quantify the stress levels of computer professionals with correlation to their BMI.

The present study was designed among healthy women IT professionals,

To measure the levels of stress experienced.

To study the inter relationship between BMI, duration of computer exposure and stress.

To study the impact of yoga practice on the stress levels.

This is an observational and co relational study in healthy working women of information technology (IT) sector in the age group of 22–40 yrs. STAI questionnaire (form X) was used to score the stress levels, after they volunteerly agreed to participate in the study.

Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done in the present study. Out of 40 women, 70% were in the age group of 21–30 yrs, and 30% in 31–40 yrs. There is a statistically significant increase in both stress levels and hours of computer exposure, as the BMI increased in the subjects. There is a significant decrease in stress levels in STAI score among subjects practicing yoga as compared to the subjects who don't.

There is a significant positive co relation of age, BMI and hours of computer exposure to psychosocial stress as measured by STAI score.

It is required for the women who do not practice yoga, to follow stress relief strategies like yoga, so that they can be fit at their sedentary work and maintain work life balance. This study provides the insight to the Clinicians and organizational setup to formulate well designed training programs to avoid overweight.