The Relationship Between Nutrition Behaviour and Physical Activity Levels on Body Mass Index in Students of the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: Adoption of an inactive lifestyle and inappropriate eating behaviour increases the risk of developing chronic illness in adulthood. This study was aimed at determining the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), a critical factor in determining obesity, of the students of the University of Chester in the United Kingdom with their nutrition behaviour/habits and physical activity levels. Methods: Volunteers and randomly selected 377 students who are studying at the University of Chester were included in the study. Nutrition behaviour/habits, anthropometric measurements and physical activity levels of the participants were determined by a questionnaire. Results: This study included 150 males (39.8%) and 227 females (60.2%) with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.2 years. There was no significant relationship (p=.856) between the score of positive attention to diet (33.58 ± 5.92) and BMI levels (24.19 ± 4.59 kg/m2) of the students. There was no significant relationship (p=.548) between weekly physical activity levels (3385.62 ± 3046.23 MET.min/wk) and BMI levels (24.19 ± 4.59 kg/m2) of the students. There was a significant relationship (p=.003) a very low positive correlation (r= .155) between the score of positive attention to diet (33.58 ± 5.92) and weekly physical activity levels (3385.62 ± 3046.23 MET.min/wk) of the students. Conclusion: It has been found that physical activity level correlates positively with positive attention to diet. However; positive attention to diet and physical activity levels may not solely effective factors on the body mass index. There might be some other factors affecting body mass index. More research is needed to assess the relationship between BMI and other factors which contribute to obesity.