Nutrient Intake, Physical Activity Levels, and Metabolic Status in Australian University Biomedical Students. (29th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallo, Linda; Moritz, Karen; Akison, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 4(2020)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 1404
• Page End: 1404
• Publication Date: 2020-05-29
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa061_032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to assess nutritional intake, physical activity levels and their association to metabolic health in a cohort of university biomedical science students. Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design. Participants were recruited from a third-year endocrinology practical class from The University of Queensland (2018–2019), with complete data obtained from 324 students, aged 19–25 years ( n = 196 females and 128 males of which 57% were Caucasian, 28% Asian, 7% Subcontinental Asian, 6% of mixed race or other, and 2% not disclosed). Nutritional intake was quantified using the Automated 24 h dietary assessment Tool (ASA24-Australia) and physical activity levels quantified using the Active Australia Survey. Results: Mean height and body mass (±SD) was 164.36 cm (±6.85) and 60.0 kg (±10.6) in females and 178.1 cm (±7.41) and 73.4 kg (±11.5) in males. Median daily energy intake was 6760 kJ in females and 10, 338 kJ in males. The following nutrients had a low percentage of female and/or male students meeting the minimum recommendations: fibre (24% of females and 30% of males), calcium (16% of females and 32% of males), folate (32% of females, 59% of males), iron (6% of females, 80% of males), and potassium (33% of females and 32% of males). In females, median daily intake was well below recommendations for calcium (621 vs 1000 mg) and iron (8.8 vs 18 mg). Sufficient level of physical activity, defined as at least 150 minutes over at least five sessions in one week, was met in 82% of females and 85% of males. Conclusions: These results suggest that undergraduate biomedical science students in Australia have inadequate intakes of fibre, calcium, folate, and potassium, with a particular concern regarding the very low intake of calcium and iron among young adult females. Associations to metabolic health, including blood glucose control, insulin sensitivity, advanced glycation end products, and body composition are currently being analysed. Funding Sources: The study was funded by institutional support from School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia. L.A.G. was supported by an Early Career Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Heart Foundation (Australia), and a UQ Amplify Fellowship. K.M.M was supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council.