Abstract
This study evaluated the association of physical activity status with dietary energy density and nutritional adequacy. 205 individuals between the ages of 19-35 years (102 active, 103 inactive) (50% women) participated in the study. The individuals were grouped according to their physical activity status by gender. When the nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of the individuals' diets was evaluated, there was a significant difference between active and inactive men only in vitamin A and E adequacy (p < 0.05). On the other hand, energy, protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, niacin, vitamin E and folate intake adequacy were found to be lower in active women compared to inactive women (p < 0.05). While the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of the diet did not differ among men, it was significantly higher in inactive women compared to active women (p < 0.05). Dietary energy density was found to be lower in all active individuals compared to inactive individuals (p < 0.05). A positive association was found between nutritional adequacy and body weight (p < 0.05), body mass index (p < 0.05), body fat percentage (p < 0.05) and fat free mass (p < 0.05) in inactive men. As a result, physical activity status can affect nutritional adequacy and dietary energy density, and this effect differs between genders.
Keywords:
physical activity; nutritional adequacy; energy density; NAR; MAR