Abstract
Dietary composition is the cornerstone of weight management. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutrient intakes on anthropometric profiles among university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 411 students aged 18-29 years, purposive sampled from a selected private university in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Anthropometric profiles were measured. Nutrient intakes were assessed by 3-day 24-hour diet recalls. Respondents on average had adequate macronutrient intakes, however, total consumption of dietary fiber and micronutrients were fell short of recommended levels. Significant negative associations were found between body mass index (BMI) and all the macronutrients, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Body fat percentage was significantly associated with all the macronutrients, calcium, zinc, thiamine and niacin. Significant inverse associations were also found between waist circumference and carbohydrate, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Visceral fat showed significant inverse associations with carbohydrate, fat, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Further, after adjusting for sex, gender and race, BMI was associated with niacin (β=-0.161, p=0.027). Body fat percentage was also found significantly associated with niacin (β=-0.180, p=0.002) and riboflavin (β=-0.132, p=0.014). Micronutrients, especially B vitamins, are important in weight management among the young adults.
Highlights
Since large scale population data from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) became available, there AfricanHealth Sciences, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.African Health Sciences Vol 19 Issue 2, June, 2019Poor eating habits is a major public health concern among young adults who experienced transition into university life, during which, they are lack of costs and financial resources, and the availability of convenience meals.[6]
Students who under-reported or over-reported their energy intake were excluded from the analyses which involved dietary intake
The present study shows that students on average had adequate macronutrient intakes, total consumption of dietary fiber and micronutrients fell short of recommended levels
Summary
Since large scale population data from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) became available, there AfricanHealth Sciences (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.African Health Sciences Vol 19 Issue 2, June, 2019Poor eating habits is a major public health concern among young adults who experienced transition into university life, during which, they are lack of costs and financial resources, and the availability of convenience meals.[6]. Health Sciences (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutrient intakes on anthropometric profiles among university students. Significant negative associations were found between body mass index (BMI) and all the macronutrients, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Body fat percentage was significantly associated with all the macronutrients, calcium, zinc, thiamine and niacin. Significant inverse associations were found between waist circumference and carbohydrate, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Visceral fat showed significant inverse associations with carbohydrate, fat, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Effect of nutrient intakes on anthropometric profiles among university students from a selected private university in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
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