Body mass index, central obesity, and dietary patterns in a group of young adult men

Polikandrioti, M., Kotronoulas, G. , Liveri, D., Giovaso, S., Varelis, G. and Kyritsi, E. (2009) Body mass index, central obesity, and dietary patterns in a group of young adult men. Health Science Journal, 3(1), pp. 54-63.

Abstract

Over the last decades, obesity has been increased in alarming rates not only in our country but also worldwide, tending to become one of the major health problems in the western world. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and body mass index, as well as cent ral obesity in young adult men. Method and Material: Study sample consisted of 1,000 army recruits and data was collected during their first referral for medical examination post recruitment. Collection of data was performed by means of a specifically designed questionnaire, which recr uits were asked to complete themselves. Basic anthropometric measures were calculated and recorded by the examining physicians. Analysis of data was performed using the SPSS 15 statistical package an d one-way ANOVA and t-tests were applied for the statistical process. Results: Regarding age, 13.8% of participants were 19-21 years old; 50.8% were 22-24 years old, and 30.7% were 25-27 years old, while 4.7% of participants we re 28-30 years old. Regarding educational background, a 4.7% had received only basic education; 31.6% ha d received high-school ed ucation; and 63.7% had attended some college or university. 54.8% of partic ipants considered their weight being “normal”; 5.1% considered weight being slightly or excessively above normal rates; and 40.3% reported that their weight was below normal rates. However, me asurement results showed that only 58.7% of recruits were actually of normal body weight; 37.2% were overweight; and 4.1% were obese. Regarding central obesity, 50.3% of responders were classified as belonging to “low ri sk” group, with a 48.6% belonging to “moderate risk” group, and another 1.1% to “high risk ” group. Statistic analysis of data revealed that the specific pattern of nourishment is associated to body mass index and to central obesity. More in advance, it was found that persons possessing optimal body weight were consumin g significantly more frequently poultry, fish, or roast beef, p=0,022, as well as less bread, p=0,036 co mpared to the overweight participants. In addition, persons possessing optimal body weight were found to consume more frequently re freshers, sports drinks or soft drinks, p=<0,001, as well as snacks and dess erts, p=<0,001 compared to both overweight and obese persons. Interestingly, persons with normal body weight reported cons uming significantly more frequently fast-food meals, eggs, and sandwiches in their lunch-time, p=0,007 and p=0,040, respectively. Relatively to central obesity, recruits in “moderate risk” cons umed significantly more frequently fast-food meals, p=0,005, more bread, p=0,035 and less fruit, p=0,030 than those in “low risk” for central obesity. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that th e pattern of nourishment is not directly correlated to body mass index, but rather to central obesity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kotronoulas, Dr Greg
• Authors: Polikandrioti, M., Kotronoulas, G., Liveri, D., Giovaso, S., Varelis, G., and Kyritsi, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
• Journal Name: Health Science Journal
• Publisher: Technological Educational Institute of Athens
• ISSN: 1791-809X
• ISSN (Online): 1791-809X