Physical Activity, Body Composition and Energy Consumption in College Students

The aim of present study was to determine ambulatory activity, body composition and energy consumption in college students and to investigate the relationship between these components. A total of 914 Turkish college female (n = 441, age 21.1 ± 1.6 years, height 167.8 ± 6.4 cm, weight 58.2 ± 8.8 kg) and male students (n = 473, age 22 ± 1.9 years, height 176.7 ± 5.9 cm, weight 70.9 ± 9.3 kg) participated in the present study. Pedometer determined number of daily step method was used to assessment physical activity of subjects. Body composition was analyzed by bioelectrical impedance method. Mean±sd of number of daily steps, energy intake, percentage body fat, in female and male students were found 7981 ± 3048 steps•day 1 and 8509 ± 3139 steps•day (p > 0.05), 1548 ± 661 kcal•day and 1559±715 kcal•day (p > 0.05), 19.2 ± 6.6 % 1 1 1 and 10.5 ± 5.7 %, respectively. Number of daily step was not significantly correlated with BMI, fat % and energy consumption (r = .080, r = -.072, r = .024, respectively, p > 0.01). Number of daily step was inversely correlated with right leg and left leg fat percentage (r = -110 and r = .104, respectively, p < 0.05). In conclusion, it was suggested that both female and male college students increase physical activity and energy intake. We recommend that college students increase their physical activity in order to maintain a healthy and high-quality life.