Nutritional status and lifestyle factors among young adults enrolled in an academic institution, Coimbatore

• Main Authors: Shanthi, D., Bashar, Sadaf, Momin, Belgia G., Narayani, S., Savitha, G., Devi, G. Sharmela
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Blood pressure; Body size; Carbohydrates; Chi-square test; Children & youth; Food intake; Girls; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Regression models; Software; Statistical analysis; Statistical tests; Supine position; Young adults
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0080431

The study was aimed to compare the lifestyle factors and nutritional status among young boys and girls. The ex post facto study comprised of 59 boys and 111 girls and in total (n=170) were included for the study. The anthropometric measurements such as Body Mass Index Waist circumference, Hip circumference were measured and the Waist Hip Ratio was calculated. Based on the BMI the respondents were categorized to obese (n=130) and non-obese (n=40). The respondents were 17-25 years of age. Blood pressure was taken in supine position by using sphygmomanometer under appropriate condition. The food intake of the subjects was collected using 24 hour recall and using Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire, the level of physical activity was assessed. The data was then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software and the tools used were Chi-square test, two-sample t-test and binary logistic regression model. The results of the study showed that among the respondents 25.4% boys & 23.4% girls were non obese and 74.6% boys & 76.6% girls were obese. The systemic blood pressure levels was significantly higher (p=0.000548) in boys compared with girls. The total energy intake (P=0.007) and total fat intake was significantly (P=0.005) higher in boys. The carbohydrate intake was significantly higher (P=0.003) in girls compared with boys (p=0.772). The study concluded that the importance of physical activity and nutrition in maintaining good health need to address to younger generation by professional bodies is really needed in this hour.