Impact of Physical activity and Intake of fiber and fat on the anthropometric indices of university females in Hail city of Saudi Arabia

Objectives of the present study were to find out the correlation of physical activity and dietary intake of fiber, fat with the anthropometric measurements of the female students and staff of the university of Hail. A total of 237 participants (age 18-30+ years) were included in the study. Information on physical activity was obtained using IPAQ-2004. The intake of fats and fiber was measured by online screening using Nutrition Quest, 2009. All the anthropometric measurements were collected by using In-Body 720 machine. Results were analyzed using SPSS-17.0, and were checked at 0.05 level for significance. Results of the study concluded that around 22 per cent of the subjects were overweight whereas, 20 per cent were found obese, 57.4 per cent of the participants were found to be physically inactive. BMI was significantly correlated with daily fiber intake P<0.05 and fat intake (P<0.005). Strong positive correlation was found between the age and per cent body fat as well as visceral fat whereas amount of protein and minerals in the body were inversely correlated with age. (P=0.000). BMI was significantly correlated with dietary intake of fat and fiber. Mean intake of fiber was low (14.6 +/- 4.3 grams) and average intake of fat provides 35-40 per cent of total calories. Prevalence of obesity was found to be alarming with high percentage of subjects being inactive, which is a matter of great concern. Intake of fruits and vegetables and daily intake of fiber was also found to be very low. Results of this study will help to provide evidences that increase in physical activity coupled with increased intake of dietary fiber can prevent obesity.