scholarly journals Adherence to Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines in Australian Undergraduate Biomedical Students and Associations with Body Composition and Metabolic Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3500
Author(s):  
Linda A. Gallo ◽  
Tania F. Gallo ◽  
Sophia L. Young ◽  
Amelia K. Fotheringham ◽  
Johanna L. Barclay ◽  
...  

There is a paucity of data on whether Australian university students are meeting specific nutrient guidelines, and the relationship between diet and physical activity patterns with body composition and metabolic health. In this study, biomedical students from The University of Queensland were recruited (150 males and 211 females, 19–25 years), and nutritional intake (ASA24-Australia) and physical activity levels (Active Australia Survey) quantified. Body composition (height, waist circumference, body mass, BMI, and percentage body fat; BOD POD) and metabolic health (oral glucose tolerance test) were also measured. Median daily energy intake was 6760 kJ in females and 10,338 kJ in males, with more than 30% of total energy coming from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Only 1 in 10 students met fruit or vegetable recommendations, with less than one third meeting recommendations for fibre, calcium, and potassium. Intakes of calcium and iron were particularly low among female students, with only 16% and 6% of students meeting the recommended dietary intake (RDI), respectively. The majority of males and almost half of all females exceeded the suggested dietary target (SDT) for sodium. Sufficient physical activity (≥150 min over ≥5 sessions per week) was met by more than 80% of students. Body composition and blood glucose concentrations were largely normal but an early sign of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2.0), measured in a subset of students, was present in 21% of males and 17% of females. Modest reductions in blood glucose levels and percentage body fat were associated with increasing vigorous activity. Low intakes of fibre, calcium, and potassium could be corrected by increasing fruit, vegetable, and dairy intake, and, among females, health promotion messages focusing on iron-rich foods should be prioritised. While these nutrient deficiencies did not translate into immediate metabolic heath concerns, dietary behaviours can track into adulthood and have lasting effects on overall health.

Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Scully ◽  
Laura T. Jay ◽  
Steven Freedman ◽  
Gregory S. Sawicki ◽  
Ahmet Uluer ◽  
...  

Measures of body fat and lean mass may better predict important clinical outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) than body mass index (BMI). Little is known about how diet quality and exercise may impact body composition in these patients. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition, 24-h dietary recall, and physical activity were assessed in a cross-sectional analysis of 38 adolescents and adults with CF and 19 age-, race-, and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Compared with the healthy volunteers, participants with CF had a lower appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), despite no observed difference in BMI, and their diets consisted of higher glycemic index foods with a greater proportion of calories from fat and a lower proportion of calories from protein. In participants with CF, pulmonary function positively correlated with measures of lean mass, particularly ALMI, and negatively correlated with multiple measures of body fat after controlling for age, gender, and BMI. Higher physical activity levels were associated with greater ALMI and lower body fat. In conclusion, body composition measures, particularly ALMI, may better predict key clinical outcomes in individuals with CF than BMI. Future longitudinal studies analyzing the effect of dietary intake and exercise on body composition and CF-specific clinical outcomes are needed.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3890-3890
Author(s):  
Ellen Fung ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Janet Kwiatkowski ◽  
Sylvia Titi Singer ◽  
Ashutosh Lal ◽  
...  

Abstract Optimal nutritional status is imperative for achieving the genetic potential for growth and development in children as well as for robust immune function and bone health in adults. Patients with thalassemia (Thal) are known to have abnormal growth, altered development and immune function and deficits in bone mass. For children, weight and height is commonly used to assess overall nutritional status, whereas for adults, body composition is a gross marker of an individual’s overall nutritional health. Nutritional status and body composition has not been explored in patients with Thal. To examine this, we have assessed body composition (fat, lean) and bone density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic Delphi A) in 370 subjects enrolled in a cross-sectional study of the Thal Clinical Research Network (TCRN), a North American collaborative research group. In addition to DXA, weight and height were measured, medical history obtained and a brief calcium food frequency and physical activity questionnaire completed. The total sample was divided into 2 groups: (TxThal) 257 transfused thalassemia major and E-beta thal patients (23.7 ± 11 yr, 131 male), and (NTxThal) 113 never or minimally transfused patients with other thalassemia syndromes (21.3 ± 13 yr, 50 male). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated (kg/m2) and cutoffs determined for children (<17=underweight, ≥30 obese) and adults (<18.5=underweight, ≥30 obese). As expected there was a high correlation between BMI and fat and lean mass by DXA (r=0.7 to 0.86, p<0.001). 6.2% of adults and 39.3% of children were classified as underweight by BMI and nearly 1/3 of children with Thal had abnormally low percentage body fat; while only 3.4% of adults and 2.2% of children were considered obese. Compared to median data from NHANES, adult patients with Thal are much leaner (BMI: 22.8±0.4) compared to contemporary adult Americans (28.1±0.2, p<0.0001). TxThal had more total body fat mass (14.3 vs 11.4 g, p<0.0001) and percentage body fat (27.3% vs. 24.9% p=0.007) compared to NTxThal. As has been observed in epidemiological studies of healthy subjects, calcium intake was inversely related to fat mass (p=0.009) as well as lean mass (p=0.007) after controlling for the effects of age, gender and diagnosis. Current physical activity level was a strong predictor of reduced body fat (p=0.007), whereas hemoglobin level was positively related to lean mass (p=0.001). Moreover, body fat was a positive predictor for height Z-score (p<0.0001). Low bone mass (BMD Z-Score <−2.0) was found in 50% of subjects, and BMD Z-score was moderately correlated with height Z-score (p<0.0001) and weight Z-score (p<0.0001). Though the majority of patients with Thal were classified as having a healthy body composition with very few obese patients, nearly 40% of the children in this sample were underweight. NTxThal appear at particular risk for underweight. These results suggest that an adequate amount of body fat is necessary for optimal growth and bone health in patients with Thal, and that calcium intake is associated with optimal body composition. These preliminary findings support the need for more careful study of nutritional status and its relationship to overall health in patients with thalassemia.


2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Mamabolo ◽  
HS Kruger ◽  
A Lennox ◽  
MA Monyeki ◽  
AE Pienaar ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveIt is known that stunting and obesity affect a large proportion of children in the world, and these can be affected by the physical activity levels of the children. In the present study, we evaluated the association between physical activity, physical development and body composition in black adolescent children.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingBlack township schools in the North West Province, South Africa.MethodsThree-hundred and thirteen grade 8 children were included in the Physical Activity in Youth study. Anthropometric measurements, body composition measures and maturity level as assessed by Tanner stages were determined in these children. In addition, Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaires were administered on the children to record the various activities they undertake daily.ResultsThe demographic characteristics of the children showed a high level of homogeneity. A high prevalence of stunting (16.3%) was observed in the children, which was higher in boys than in girls (21.6 vs. 12.3%). Also prevalent was overweight/obesity (8.6%), but this was higher in girls than in boys (13.4 vs. 1.6%). The children also showed a reduction in levels of physical activity with advancement in maturity; furthermore, boys showed a more central form of fat deposition whilst girls showed more gynoid deposition.ConclusionsThe study revealed that physical activity plays a role in determining body composition, and further indicated that physical activity is associated with favourable body composition measures. Children who were more active were likely to have less fat deposits.


2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2220-2227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Beate Lloyd ◽  
Meng Yang ◽  
Catherine G Davis ◽  
Sang-Gil Lee ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe present study evaluated the contribution of 100 % orange juice (OJ) consumption to the intakes of macronutrients and energy and its impact on body composition.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted. The main exposure was OJ consumption based on two non-consecutive 24 h diet recalls. Macronutrient and energy intakes and body composition parameters were outcome measures. All statistical analyses were carried out using SAS and SUDAAN statistical software packages to allow for multistage sample designs.SettingThe US population and its subgroups.SubjectsThe US population aged ≥4 years (n 13 971) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.ResultsIn this US population, OJ consumers had lower BMI and healthier lifestyle behaviours (including lower alcohol consumption and smoking as well as higher exercise level) than non-consumers (P < 0·05). After adjusting for covariates, OJ consumers had higher daily intakes of carbohydrate, total sugar, total fat and energy than non-consumers (P < 0·01). However, these linear trends still remained even after OJ was removed from the food list of items consumed. Adult OJ consumers had lower BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat than non-consumers (P < 0·01), as well as lower odds ratio for overweight and obesity (P < 0·01). These effects were not seen in children and adolescents, where there was no significant difference in BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat in OJ consumers compared with non-consumers.ConclusionsOJ consumption was associated with healthier body composition in adults; while there were no significant associations between OJ consumption and body composition in children and adolescents.


Author(s):  
Timothy Gustavo Cavazzotto ◽  
Marcos Roberto Queiroga ◽  
Sandra Aires Ferreira ◽  
Eduardo Kokubun ◽  
Maria Raquel De Oliveira Bueno ◽  
...  

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p690 The study investigated alterations in body fat and metabolic profile of adolescent monozygotic twins, resulting from discordance for insulin resistance, adjusted for physical activity, physical fitness and heredity. Thirty-eight pairs of monozygotic twins were assessed for anthropometric measurements to estimate body fat. Physical fitness was estimated with treadmill test and use of ergospirometer. Daily physical activity was estimated from the daily count of steps measured by a pedometer during 3 days. Fasting blood samples were used to determine blood glucose, insulin, lipid parameters. The Homa-IR and HOMA-β indexes were calculated. Twins with measures higher than 2.5 were considered insulin resistant. When both brothers were below or above cutoffs, the pair was allocated to the concordant group. When one brother was insulin resistant and the other was not, the pair was allocated in the discordant group. Twins were compared using paired test. In the discordant group, it was observed that insulin-resistant twins had higher birth weight values, bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body fat (sum of skinfolds), Homa-β index and lower HDL compared to their corresponding pair. Insulin-resistant twins showed higher values in anthropometry and body composition, as well as in the glycemia and insulin index and lower HDL. These events may have been unchained by metabolic alterations possibly originating from gestational stage, however, modulated by body composition. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-318
Author(s):  
Sika M Kumordzie ◽  
Harriet Okronipa ◽  
Mary Arimond ◽  
Seth Adu-Afarwuah ◽  
Maku E Ocansey ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:We aimed to identify factors (child diet, physical activity; maternal BMI) associated with body composition of Ghanaian pre-school children.Design:Longitudinal analysis of the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD-Ghana randomized trial, which enrolled 1320 pregnant women at ≤20 weeks’ gestation and followed them and their infants until 6 and 18 months postpartum, respectively. At follow-up, child age 4–6 years, we collected data on body composition (by 2H dilution), physical activity and diet, extracted dietary patterns using factor analysis, and examined the association of children’s percentage body fat with maternal and child factors by regression analysis.Setting:Eastern Region, Ghana.Participants:Children 4–6 years of age.Results:The analysis included 889 children with percentage body fat and dietary data at follow-up. We identified two major dietary patterns, a snacking and a cooked foods pattern. Percentage body fat was positively associated (standardized β (se)) with maternal BMI at follow-up (0·10 (0·03); P = 0·003) and negatively associated with physical activity (−0·15 (0·05); P = 0·003, unadjusted for child gender), but not associated with the snacking (0·06 (0·03); P = 0·103) or cooked foods (−0·05 (0·07); P = 0·474) pattern. Boys were more active than girls (1470 v. 1314 mean vector magnitude counts/min; P < 0·0001) and had lower percentage body fat (13·8 v. 16·9 %; P < 0·0001).Conclusions:In this population, maternal overweight and child physical activity, especially among girls, may be key factors for addressing child overweight/obesity. We did not demonstrate a relationship between the dietary patterns and body fatness, which may be related to limitations of the dietary data available.


BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aina M. Galmes-Panades ◽  
◽  
Jadwiga Konieczna ◽  
Veronica Varela-Mato ◽  
Itziar Abete ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The optimal distribution between physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour (SB) for the greatest benefits for body composition among older adults with overweight/obesity and chronic health conditions remains unclear. We aimed to determine the prospective association between changes in PA and in SB with concurrent changes in body composition and to examine whether reallocating inactive time into different physical activity levels was associated with 12-month change to body composition in older adults. Methods Longitudinal assessment nested in the PREDIMED-Plus trial. A subsample (n = 1564) of men and women (age 55–75 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from both arms of the PREDIMED-Plus trial was included in the present analysis. Participants were followed up at 6 and 12 months. Physical activity and SB were assessed using validated questionnaires. Out of 1564 participants, 388 wore an accelerometer to objectively measure inactive time and PA over a 7-day period. At each time point, participants’ body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Standard covariate-adjusted and isotemporal substitution modelling were applied to linear mixed-effects models. Results Increasing 30 min of total PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with significant reductions in body fat (β − 0.07% and − 0.08%) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (− 13.9 g, and − 15.6 g) at 12 months (all p values < 0.001). Reallocating 30 min of inactive time to MVPA was associated with reductions in body fat and VAT and with an increase in muscle mass and muscle-to-fat mass ratio (all p values < 0.001). Conclusions At 12 months, increasing total PA and MVPA and reducing total SB and TV-viewing SB were associated with improved body composition in participants with overweight or obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This was also observed when substituting 30 min of inactive time with total PA, LPA and MVPA, with the greatest benefits observed with MVPA. Trial registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (ISRCTN), 89898870. Retrospectively registered on 24 July 2014


2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Hechler ◽  
Elizabeth Rieger ◽  
Stephen Touyz ◽  
Pierre Beumont ◽  
Guy Plasqui ◽  
...  

The study aimed to compare differences in physical activity, the relationship between physical activity and body composition, and seasonal variation in physical activity in outpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls. Physical activity (CM-AMT) and time spent in different intensities of 10 female individuals with AN and 15 female controls was assessed across three seasons along with the percentage body fat. The two groups did not differ in their physical activity and both demonstrated seasonal variation. The percentage body fat of individuals with AN, but not that of the controls, was negatively related to CM-AMT and time spent in low-moderate intesnity acitivy (LMI). Seasonal variation in physical activity emerged with increases in engagement in LMI during the summer period for both groups. Possible interpretations of the finding that decreased physical activity was related to a normalization of percentage body fat in the individuals with AN are discussed and implications for treatment are highlighted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1652-1660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Cree-Green ◽  
Ninghe Cai ◽  
Laura Pyle ◽  
Brandy Ringham ◽  
Mark S. Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: Obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and diabetes are increasing in youth, especially in girls. IR is associated with muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in youth and adults with diabetes. However, it is unknown whether this relationship is present in youth prior to development of diabetes. Objective: Assess IR and mitochondrial function, including sex differences, in nondiabetic youth. Design: Cross-sectional study of youth in the Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among Children, Resistance to InSulin in Type 1 And Type 2 diabetes, and Androgens and Insulin Resistance Study cohorts. Setting: Academic medical university. Participants: Two hundred seventy-five youth, 13 to 19 years old [43% males: 17.1 (16.52, 17.63) years, body mass index z-score (BMI-Z) 0.36, 64.7% Tanner 5; 57% females: 17.2 (16.43, 17.67) years, BMI-Z 0.72, 78.9% Tanner 5]. Interventions: Fasting laboratories, oral glucose tolerance test, and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Main Outcome Measures: IR [triglyceride:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, Matsuda index, and homeostasis model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] and muscle mitochondrial function (adenosine 5′-diphosphate time constant and oxidative phosphorylation rate). Results: Compared with males, females were more insulin resistant, with higher triglyceride:HDL ratio [1.95 (1.30, 2.79) vs 1.69 (1.21, 2.23), P = 0.042], HOMA-IR [3.18 (2.42, 4.39) vs 2.76 (2.02, 4.08), P = 0.035], and fasting free fatty acids (FFAs) and lower Matsuda score [3.98 (2.71, 5.96) vs 5.39 (3.43, 7.57), P &lt; 0.001]. After adjustment for the higher BMI and Tanner stage and lower physical activity levels seen in females, there were no sex differences in mitochondrial function nor in any IR measure except FFAs. We did not find an association between measures of IR and mitochondrial function. Conclusions: The greater IR seen in adolescent girls vs boys is mostly explained by differences in BMI and physical activity. Mitochondrial function does not appear to be related to IR in a large cohort of nondiabetic youth.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document