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

Linda Gallo; Tania F Gallo; Sophia L. Young; Amelia K. Fotheringham; Johanna L. Barclay; Jacqueline L. Walker; Karen Moritz; Lisa K. Akison

doi:10.3390/nu13103500

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

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

Linda Gallo, Tania F Gallo, Sophia L. Young, Amelia K. Fotheringham, Johanna L. Barclay, Jacqueline L. Walker, Karen Moritz and Lisa K. Akison

Nutrients, Vol.13(10), pp.1-15

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103500

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Abstract

Exercise

blood glucose

diet

insulin resistance

obesity

young adults

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.

Details

Title: Adherence to Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines in Australian Undergraduate Biomedical Students and Associations with Body Composition and Metabolic Health: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Linda Gallo (Author) - The University of Queensland
Tania F Gallo (Author)
Sophia L. Young (Author) - The University of Queensland
Amelia K. Fotheringham (Author) - The University of Queensland
Johanna L. Barclay (Author) - The University of Queensland
Jacqueline L. Walker (Author) - The University of Queensland
Karen Moritz (Author) - The University of Queensland
Lisa K. Akison (Author) - The University of Queensland
Publication details: Nutrients, Vol.13(10), pp.1-15
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.3390/nu13103500
ISSN: 2072-6643
Copyright note: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99618208702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Nutrition & Dietetics

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