Korean J Nutr.  2008 Dec;41(8):818-831.

College Students' Dietary Behavior, Health-Related Lifestyles and Nutrient Intake Status by Physical Activity Levels using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Incheon Area

• You JS
• Chin JH
• Kim MJ
• Chang KJ

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary behavior, health-related lifestyles and nutrient intake status of college students according to physical activity levels. The physical activity levels were measured using the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form. The subjects of this study were 438 college students (243 males and 195 females) in Incheon area and were divided by gender and by physical activity levels, which included low, moderate and high physical activity groups. The average age of male and female students were 23.7 and 21.0 years old, respectively. The prevalence of the low physical activity group was 11.5% for males and 30.8% for females and that of the high physical activity group was 38.7% for males and 22.6% for females. According to the criteria for obesity in Asia-Pacific region, 39.1% of the males and 64.1% of the female students investigated were in the normal range of BMI and 30.9% of the males and 4.6% of the female students were in the obesity category. However, percent of body fat in the female students was significantly higher than that of the male students. The soft lean mass of the high physical activity group was higher compared to the other groups. In the low physical activity group, frequency of "eating out" was lower compared to the other groups. The average consumption of energy was 74.4% for males and 80.1% for females of the estimated energy requirement (EER). The mean intakes of vitamin C, vitamin B2, folic acid and Ca were 67.3%, 84%, 52.7% and 36.7% for males and 64.8%, 99.9%, 51.1% and 40.1% for females of recommended intake (RI), respectively. Therefore, it was necessary for obesity prevention as well as health promotion to increase physical activity and to eat an adequate, balanced diet in female college students.

Keyword

IPAQ; physical activity; dietary behavior; nutrient intake status; college student

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Ascorbic Acid
Diet
Female
Folic Acid
Health Promotion
Humans
Life Style
Male
Motor Activity
Obesity
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Reference Values
Riboflavin
Ascorbic Acid
Folic Acid
Riboflavin