Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) of female college students according to obesity and exercise participation

Abstract

Background: Individuals participating in exercise are more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle to achieve their exercise-related goals. This study aimed to examine the differences in dietary quality of female university students by exercise involvement and body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study was conducted with 360 female university students in Turkey. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire containing general characteristics and food consumption records. The “Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015)”score was calculated using the results of food consumption records. Results: The findings showed that the ratio of individuals who exercised regularly was 34.2%. The ratio (44.2%) of regularly exercising participants with moderate/good diet quality was greater than that of regularly exercising participants with poor diet quality (30.6%) (P= 0.016). There was no significant difference between the scores of overall diet quality according to BMI classification (P> 0.05). The score (45.3±13.4) for overall diet quality of those participating in exercise in the group with normal body weight was higher than the score (41.5± 12.1) for overall diet quality of those not participating in exercise (P= 0.026). Those participating in exercise in the group with normal body weight consumed more greens and beans, whole grains, dairy products, seafood/ vegetable proteins, and refined grains than those not participating in exercise (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The rate of overall participation in physical activity was low. However, students participating in physical activity and with a normal body weight had a better diet quality. Creating an ideal environment that encourages students to participate in physical activity at universities can be an effective method for improving their diet quality.