Eating Speed,Eating Frequency,and Their Relationships with Diet Quality,Adiposity, and Metabolic Syndrome,or Its Components

Excess body weight is a major global health concern, particularly due to its associated increased health risks. Several strategies have been proposed to prevent overweight and obesity onset. In the past decade, it has been suggested that eating speed/rate and eating frequency might be related to obesity. The main aim of this narrative review was to summarize existing evidence regarding the impact of eating speed/rate and eating frequency on adiposity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), or diet quality (DQ). For this purpose, a literature search of observational and interventional trials was conducted between June and September 2020 in PubMed and Web of Sciences databases, without any data filters and no limitations for publication date. Results suggest that children and adults with a faster eating speed/rate may be associated with a higher risk of developing adiposity, MetS or its components. Furthermore, a higher eating frequency could be associated with diet quality improvement, lower adiposity, and lower risk of developing MetS or its components. Further interventional trials are warranted to clarify the mechanism by which these eating behaviors might have a potential impact on health.     

COVID-19 Pandemic and Eating Disorders among University Students

An online cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2021 to identify factors, such as changes in food choices, lifestyle, risk and protective behavior, mental health, and social demographics, on eating disorders (ED) among students of a French university. Students were invited to fill out an online questionnaire. ED were identified using the French version of the five-item “Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food” (SCOFF) questionnaire. The Expali™-validated algorithmic tool, combining SCOFF and body mass index, was used to screen EDs into four diagnostic categories: bulimic ED, hyperphagic ED, restrictive ED and other ED. A total of 3508 students filled the online questionnaire, 67.3% female, mean age 20.7 years (SD = 2.3). The prevalence of ED was 51.6% in women and 31.9% in men (p < 0.0001). Lower food security scores were associated with a higher risk for all ED categories. Depression and academic stress due to COVID-19 were associated with ED regardless of category. Regarding health behaviors, a high adherence to the National nutrition recommendation was a protective factor for the risk of bulimic ED, hyperphagic ED and restrictive ED. A lower frequency of moderate and vigorous physical activity was associated with a higher risk of hyperphagic ED. Our study has shown a high screening of ED among the students of a French university fourteen months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. By disrupting academic learning, jobs and social life, the COVID-19 pandemic could have exacerbated existing ED or contributed to the onset of new ED.     

Association between Eating Behavior and Academic Performance in University Students

Objective: To determine the association between academic performance and eating behavior in university students in Chile.

Methods: A total of 680 college students, 409 (60%) women and 271 (40%) men, were randomly recruited and the mean age of the entire sample was 26. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), which evaluates 3 dimensions of eating behavior—cognitive restriction (limiting own intake), uncontrolled eating (inclination to eat), and emotional eating (control of food intake in the context of negative emotions)—was used. Academic performance was measured by the grade point average (GPA) and was associated with eating behavior.

Results: Women had significantly higher scores in the “emotional eating” dimension than men (p = 0.002). The eating behavior analysis showed that female students with higher GPAs (above 5.5) had statistically significantly lower uncontrolled eating scores (p = 0.03) and higher cognitive restriction scores (p = 0.05) than women with lower academic performance (below 5.5). There were no significant associations between eating behavior and academic performance in men.

Conclusions: A positive association between eating behavior and academic performance was observed in female university students in Chile. Further studies are needed to explore the causes of this association and determine how to improve the nutritional habits of this population.     

Length of Migration and Eating Habits of Portuguese University Students Living in London,United Kingdom

Several studies have pointed adverse effects of long term migration on eating habits. Research is needed to understand if this effect occurs also with a short length of migration, as is the case of international students. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of short and long term migration on eating habits of Portuguese university students. Participants were 46 English and 55 Portuguese students from universities in London, United Kingdom. The findings from this study highlight the difficulties that Portuguese students faced in maintaining a traditional Mediterranean diet after moving to a Northern European environment.     

Composition of Metabolic Syndrome Among Korean Adults in a Lifestyle Modification Intervention

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the composition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components among middle-aged and older Koreans.

Methods

A total of 263 participants (age 40 + years) in a lifestyle modification intervention program who met the MetS definition of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) – Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria were included in the study. The frequent patterns and clustering of MetS components were investigated. Clustering of changes in individual components, through a lifestyle modification intervention, was also identified. All characteristics were stratified by and compared between sexes.

Results

Approximately 80% of the participants had three of five MetS risk factors at baseline. The prevalence of each risk differed by sex. MetS composition patterns that do not include low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were more noticeable in men because of the low prevalence of low HDL cholesterol. In women, with higher prevalence of low HDL cholesterol, more patterns that include low HDL cholesterol were observed. The most common combination was “elevated blood pressure + abdominal obesity + impaired fasting glucose” in both sexes. Clustering of MetS risks was also found with most of the frequent combinations of MetS components. Through the lifestyle intervention, the greatest change was observed in HDL cholesterol among men and blood pressure among women. Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were likely to be improved with blood pressure in men and abdominal obesity in women.

Conclusion

Differences in the prevalent patterns of MetS compositions were observed prior to and after the intervention, along with during-intervention changes. It is recommended that intervention strategies and guidelines for MetS management consider the MetS composition patterns for effectiveness.     

Benefits of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Are Independent of Physical Activity Behaviors in Older Adults

Although consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) is suggested to reduce metabolic risk, there is a paucity of studies taking advantage of objectively assessed physical activity (PA) behaviors when exploring links between FV intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between FV intake and MetS prevalence in a population of older community-dwelling adults, while considering time spent being sedentary and health-enhancing PA. Prevalence of MetS was determined in a population of 93 men and 152 women (age: 65–70 years). FV intake was determined by self-report and PA behaviors (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and in sedentary) were assessed by accelerometry. Likelihood of having MetS by FV intake was determined using logistic regression with stepwise backward elimination including age, sex, educational level, total energy intake, adherence to MVPA guideline and total sedentary time as covariates. A main finding was that lower FV intakes were significantly related to higher prevalence of MetS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.47) after considering potential influences by covariates. Additionally, we found that lower intake of vegetables but not fruits was significantly related to higher prevalence of MetS (OR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.04–2.07). In conclusion, lower intakes of FV in general, and of vegetables in particular, significantly increased likelihood of MetS, regardless of time spent sedentary and adherence to the MVPA guideline. From a public health perspective, our findings emphasize adequate intakes of FV as an independent contributor to metabolic health status in older adults.     

Hypoadiponectinemia Is Strongly Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum adiponectin level, dietary intake, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and to identify factors associated with serum adiponectin level.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using 789 type 2 DM patients (406 men and 383 women) 40–80 years old. Subjects were classified into 3 groups on the basis of serum adiponectin level. General characteristics and anthropometric, hematologic, and dietary data were obtained for each subject.

Results: The prevalence of hypoadiponectinemia (<4.0 µg/mL) was 57.4% in men and 32.4% in women. Serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage, and serum concentrations of insulin and triglyceride, and was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level. Even though the direct association of nutrient intake with serum adiponectin concentration was not strong, various contributing factors for hypoadiponectinemia were strongly correlated with micronutrient intake, such as calcium, iron, and niacin. Both sexes in the group with the lowest adiponectin concentration had a higher prevalence of MetS and MetS components than corresponding sexes in the group with the highest adiponectin concentration.

Conclusions: Our findings show that hypoadiponectinemia is strongly associated with MetS in type 2 DM patients. Dietary intake may be indirectly associated with adiponectin levels through factors such as BMI, waist circumference, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure. Therefore, our results suggest that manipulation of the level of adiponectin may prevent MetS and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in type 2 DM patients.     

Evaluating the Relationship of Eating Behaviors of University Students with Body Mass Index and Self-Esteem

This study investigated the relationship between eating behaviors (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire–DEBQ), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale–RSES), and body mass index (BMI) in university students. A total of 503 students (129 men and 374 women), 18–23 years of age were included in the study. According to BMI, 8.3% of students were underweight; 47.3% were overweight; and 74.4% were of healthy weight. The level of self-esteem of 86.5% of young people was high, 13.5% moderate. The mean score (33.3 ± 11.8) of emotional-eating behavior was higher for women than for men (27.9 ± 10.1) . Recommendations include assessing eating behaviors via longitudinal studies with large samples, and identifying at-risk groups, as useful approaches for informing prevention.     

Evaluation of Orthorexia Nervosa and Symptomatology Associated with Eating Disorders among European University Students: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study

The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in university students in Spain and Poland, (2) assess differences in ON and eating disorder (ED) pathology in both samples and (3) examine the relationship between ON and ED symptoms among Spanish and Polish university students. Eight hundred and sixty university students participated in the present study (M_age = 21.17 ± 3.38; M_BMI = 22.57 ± 3.76). The Spanish and Polish samples comprised 485 and 375 students, respectively. The Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and the Eating Disorder Inventory were used in the present study. ON prevalence rates of 2.3% and 2.9%, respectively, are found in the Spanish and Polish samples. Compared to Polish students, Spanish university students reported increased drive for thinness and lower body dissatisfaction, lower level of ineffectiveness and lower level of interpersonal distrust. ON was positively related to drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism interoceptive awareness (in both Spanish and Polish students) and ineffectiveness (in Spanish students). Our findings suggest that ON significantly overlaps with ED symptoms, which is in line with recent studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess how ON develops in a sample of young adults and whether it develops in isolation of or in parallel with ED pathology.     

Physical Activity,Cardiorespiratory Fitness,and their Relationship to Cardiovascular Risk Factors in African Americans and Non-African Americans With Above-Optimal Blood Pressure

This report describes cross-sectional associations among physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary habits, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a large sample (n=810) of African Americans (n=279) and non-African Americans (n=531) with above-optimal blood pressure. Participants in PREMIER, a clinical trial for blood pressure control through lifestyle approaches, underwent baseline assessments to determine physical activity level, cardiorespiratory fitness category, dietary intake, and CVD risk factors. Mean levels of body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, daily percent calories from fat and saturated fat, daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and daily fiber intake were examined across three physical activity levels and two fitness categories. Hypertension status was also assessed. Data were stratified by sex and ethnicity. For all participants, those in the low fitness category had higher BMI levels. Total cholesterol was lower in African American women in the high fitness category. Mean values of more than five daily servings of fruits and vegetables were reported by non-African American women and African American men in the high activity category. Higher intake of dietary fiber was found for non-African American women at the high activity level, with a similar trend observed for African American women. Future work examining these associations prospectively should include sufficient minority representation to enhance generalizability to all population groups and determine the beneficial effects from increased physical activity and improved cardiorespiratory fitness.Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, is Associate Professor of Kinesiology at University of Maryland, College Park, MD; Mikel Aickin, PhD, is a Senior Investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR; Philip Brantley, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Division of Educational Programs and Chief of Behavioral Medicine at Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA; Patricia J. Elmer, PhD, is a Senior Investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR; David W. Harsha, PhD, is Associate Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA; Abby C. King, PhD, is Professor of Health Research & Policy and Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine; Victor J. Stevens, PhD, is the Assistant Director for Epidemiology and Disease Prevention at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR.This work is supported by NIH Grants UO1 HL60570, UO1 HL60571, UO1 60573, UO1 HL60574, UO1 HL62828.Request for reprints should be addressed to Deborah Rohm Young, Ph.D, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, 2312 HHP Bluilding, College Park, MD 20742; e-mail: dryoung@umd.edu.     

Students with Food Insecurity Are More Likely to Screen Positive for an Eating Disorder at a Large,Public University in the Midwest

BackgroundCollege students experience a disproportionately high prevalence of both food insecurity and eating disorders. Food insecurity is associated with stress, irregular eating patterns, weight change, depression, and body dissatisfaction, making it a possible risk factor for the onset of eating disorders. However, the association between food insecurity and eating disorders among college students is not well understood.ObjectiveThis study explored the relation between food insecurity and screening positive for an eating disorder among students attending a large, public Midwestern university.DesignCross-sectional data were collected using an online survey administered from March through June 2018.Participants/settingParticipants were recruited from a random sample of 2,000 students, with oversampling from the following groups: racial/ethnic minorities, first-generation students, and students from lower-income households. Of those sampled, 851 students (43%) responded. The final analytic sample comprised 804 students after excluding those with missing data.Main outcome measureThe validated 5-item Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) questionnaire was used to screen for the presence of an eating disorder.Statistical analyses performedPoisson regression was used to model prevalence ratios for positive SCOFF screens (≥2 affirmative responses) by levels of food security (ie, high, marginal, low, or very low). Models were adjusted for sex, age, race/ethnicity, degree type, financial aid, and first-generation student status.ResultsCompared to students with high food security, a higher prevalence of positive SCOFF screens was found among students with marginal food security (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.83, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.65; P = 0.001), low food security (PR 1.72, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.54; P = 0.007), and very low food security (PR 2.83, 95% CI 2.01 to 3.97; P < .0001).ConclusionsStudents with food insecurity at any level were more likely to screen positive for an eating disorder via the SCOFF questionnaire. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether food insecurity is a risk factor for the onset of eating disorders among college students.     

Eating Behaviour among University Students: Relationships with Age,Socioeconomic Status,Physical Activity,Body Mass Index,Waist-to-Height Ratio and Social Desirability

Eating behaviour is of particular interest for research focusing on body weight status. However, little is known about the relationships of certain factors, especially social desirability, with self-reported eating behaviour such as cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating among young adult males and females. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between eating behaviour and age, socioeconomic status (SES), physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and social desirability among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 353 university students (59.2% females). Eating behaviour was assessed using the 13-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-13). SES and PA were determined using self-reporting, and the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale assessed social desirability. BMI and WHtR were calculated based on measured parameters. Associations between self-reported eating behaviour and other variables were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate general linear models. Cognitive restraint was positively correlated with BMI and WHtR in both males (r = 0.174, P = 0.036 and r = 0.194, P = 0.020, respectively) and females (r = 0.239, P < 0.001 and r = 0.165, P = 0.017, respectively), and emotional eating was positively correlated with BMI among females (r = 0.184, P = 0.008). Social desirability was negatively correlated with uncontrolled eating (r = −0.287, P < 0.001) and emotional eating (r = −0.301, P < 0.001) among females. There were no significant correlations between eating behaviour and age or socioeconomic status (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that, among males, PA had a main effect on emotional eating (ηp² = 0.044, F = 6.276, P = 0.013). Among females, cognitive restraint was positively associated with PA (ηp² = 0.034, F = 7.127, P = 0.008) and BMI (ηp² = 0.038, F = 7.959, P = 0.005), and emotional eating with BMI (ηp² = 0.032, F = 6.638, P = 0.011). Social desirability had the highest main effect on eating behaviour among females, being negatively associated with uncontrolled eating (ηp² = 0.077, F = 16.754, P < 0.001) and emotional eating (ηp² = 0.082, F = 18.046, P < 0.001). This study showed that PA, BMI, WHtR, and social desirability were associated with self-reported eating behaviour among university students. Social desirability bias should be considered when evaluating uncontrolled eating and emotional eating among females.     

Eating Behaviors,Depressive Symptoms and Lifestyle in University Students in Poland

Young adulthood is the period from the late teens through the twenties and is associated with life transitions that could contribute to the development of obesity. Targeting this group will be critical to reversing the obesity epidemic. The aim of the study was to investigate the eating behaviors and lifestyle of healthcare students in Poland. We enrolled 227 students in the study. Convenience sampling was employed. Diet (Food Frequency Questionnaire), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), impulsivity (Barratt Impulsivity Scale), and eating behaviors (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) were assessed. One in three students exhibited depressive symptoms, one in four showed low levels of physical activity. More than 40% of the students did not consume vegetables at least once a day, and more than half did not consume fruit. Only approximately 50% of the students ate fish several times a month. There was an association between high scores of specific eating behaviors and body weight, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and consumption of specific product groups (sweets, alcohol). The results of our study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of dietary habits and overweight/obesity in university students, and support the development of programs to promote healthy lifestyles in that population.     

Effect of a Six-Month Lifestyle Intervention on the Physical Activity and Fitness Status of Adults with NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome

(1) Background: Physical inactivity has been linked to NAFLD, and exercise has been reported as useful to reduce intrahepatic fat content in NAFLD. (2) Objectives: To assess the physical activity (PA) and fitness status after a six-month lifestyle intervention (diet and PA) in adults with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS). (3) Design: Prospective cohort analysis of data obtained between baseline and six-year parallel-group randomized trial (n = 155, aged 40–60 years old, with MetS and NAFLD). Participants were randomized into three nutritional and PA intervention groups: Conventional diet (CD); MedDiet-high meal frequency (MD-HMF); MedDiet-physical activity (MD-PA). (4) Methods: PA and fitness status were assessed using a validated Minnesota questionnaire, ALPHA-FIT test battery, accelerometers, and functional fitness score. Information related to age, gender, education level, marital status, socioeconomic status, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption were also obtained. (5) Results: The CD group had higher improvement in standing handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-PA group did more modified push-up repetitions than the CD group. The MD-PA and CD groups showed higher sitting handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-HMF group showed the highest decrease in aerobic capacity. The MD-PA group showed lower light intensity PA/day than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The MD-PA group showed higher moderate intensity PA than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The CD group reported more METs per day than the MD-HMF group. (6) Conclusions: Lifestyle six-month intervention with diet and regular PA improved functional fitness in middle-aged patients with NAFLD and MetS. Aerobic capacity improved in patients who followed a Mediterranean diet and regular training sessions at six months.     

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet,Alcohol Consumption and Emotional Eating in Spanish University Students

(1) Introduction: The university period may increase the risk of different unhealthy habits, such as low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, high alcohol consumption and eating in response to specific emotions. The aim of this study was to detect early-risk alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence (ADS), the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and emotional eating in university students of the Madrid community. (2) Methods: For each individual, anthropometric parameters, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-Consumption (AUDIT-C), the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) were assessed. (3) Results: A total of 584 university students aged 20.5 (sex ratio = 0.39) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. In total, 63.6% of students showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, with no differences by sex (64.3% female versus 61.5% male, p = 0.19). According to the AUDIT questionnaire, 26.2% of participants were categorized as high-risk drinkers and 7.7% as ADS. About 38.6% of the students were categorized as eating very emotionally or eating emotionally, and 37.2% were categorized as low emotional eaters. A weak positive correlation was observed between the EEQ and BMI in female students (rho= 0.15, p = 0.03). (4) Conclusions: University students in our sample showed a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, an important high-risk alcohol consumption and low emotional eating.     

Insufficient Physical Fitness and Deficits in Basic Eating Habits in Normal-Weight Obese Children Are Apparent from Pre-School Age or Sooner

Normal-weight obesity appears to be an extended diagnosis/syndrome associated with insufficient physical fitness levels and inadequate eating habits at least from school years. However, its relation to long term health parameters in pre-school children remains unknown, even though pre-school age is crucial for the determining healthy lifelong habits. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the differences in physical fitness level and basic eating habits between normal-weight obese, normal-weight non-obese, and overweight and obese preschoolers. The research sample consisted of 188 preschoolers aged 4.0–6.9 years (M_age = 5.52 ± 0.8 year), normal-weight obese = 25; normal-weight non-obese = 143, overweight and obese = 20. Body composition was measured using bio-impedance InBody230. Six tests assessed the physical fitness level: sit-ups; standing long jump; shuttle running 4 × 5 meters; throwing with a tennis ball; multistage fitness tests; sit and reach. A four-item eating habits questionnaire for parents focusing on breakfast regularity, consumption of sweet foods and drinks, selection of food and attitude towards eating was used. A non-parametric analysis of variance and Fisher’s exact test along with suitable effect sizes were used for data processing of physical fitness tests and the basic eating habits questionnaire, respectively. Normal-weight obese children performed significantly worse (from p = 0.03 to p < 0.001, ES ω2-G = low to medium) in muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness and running agility compared to normal-weight non-obese counterparts and did not significantly differ in the majority of physical fitness performance tests from overweight and obese peers. In basic eating habits, normal-weight obese boys preferred significantly more sweet foods and drinks (p = 0.003 ES = 0.35, large), while normal-weight obese girls had significantly more negative attitude towards eating (p = 0.002 ES = 0.33, large) in comparison to their normal-weight non-obese peers. Normal-weight obesity seems to develop from early childhood and is associated with low physical fitness and deficits in eating habits which might inhibit the natural necessity for physically active life from pre-school age or sooner.     

Fruit,Vegetable, and Physical Activity Guideline Adherence and Metabolic Syndrome in El Banco por Salud

Adherence to dietary and physical activity recommendations has been associated with reductions in morbidity and mortality. The association between baseline adherence to fruit, vegetable, and physical activity guidelines and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in El Banco por Salud (El Banco) was examined. El Banco is a wellness biobank for Latino individuals affiliated with partnered Federally Qualified Health Centers in southern Arizona. Study participants (n = 972) were 65% female, 62.3% foreign-born, 56.3% obese, 29.2% food insecure, and with an average age of 51.3 years. Adherence scores were developed using baseline questionnaires for fruits and vegetable consumption and self-reported physical activity. Adherence was low in those fully meeting guidelines for fruit, vegetable, and physical activity at 14.6%, 37.5%, and 23.5%, respectively. Roughly 65% (n = 630) had ≥3 cardiometabolic risk factors. Large waist circumference was the most prevalent risk factor at 77.9%. Adherence to physical activity recommendations differed by MetS status with 32.8% without MetS reporting ≥150 min of physical activity per week compared to 18.5% in those with MetS (p < 0.001). There were no significant associations with adherence to any guidelines and MetS in the fully adjusted model. Overall, in this sample guideline adherence was low and the cardiometabolic risk factors prevalence was high.     

Prevalence of Orthorexia in Groups of Students with Varied Diets and Physical Activity (Silesia,Poland)

(1) Background: The literature emphasizes the role of many factors influencing the onset of eating disorders (EDs) and their mutual influence on each other. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of orthorexic behaviors in groups of health-related and non-health-related students in terms of their differential health behaviors—diet and physical activity levels. (2) The study included 300 individuals representing two equal groups of fields of study, which for the study were called the health-related field (HRF) and the non-health-related field (NRF). (3) Results: Based on the results of the dietary assessment, it was found that the best dietary model was characterized by the HRF group; in this group, 97.2% of students were characterized by a very good and good dietary mode. The NRF group, on the other hand, was dominated by a sufficient dietary mode for 64.4% of all cases in this group (94 people), while the dietary model marked as “good” was less popular, at 24.6% of this group (36 people). (4) Conclusions: Based on the cited self-research and information from the literature, it can be concluded that the problem of orthorexia is still a new issue at the level of social sciences, medical sciences, and health sciences. The psychometric tools used in this study allowed us to demonstrate the prevalence of the aforementioned eating disorders in the sample groups of students.     

Impact of Health, Fitness, and Physical Activity Courses on the Attitudes and Behaviors of College Students

To analyze the impact of health, fitness, and physical activity courses on attitudes and behaviors of college students the entire accessible population of subjects (n = 286) were surveyed during the first and the last week of regularly scheduled health classes. The results showed different course effects were found for many behaviors and attitudes with 66% of all participants making changes in at least one significant health-related behavior. It was concluded that significant attitude and behavior change can be attained in college students enrolled in health education, fitness, and/or physical activity classes.     

Diet and Physical Activity in Relation to Metabolic Syndrome among Urban Indian Men and Women

The relationship of diet and physical activity with metabolic syndrome (MS) was studied among 60 male and female (40–60 y) urban Indian MS patients. Intake of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruits and milk were significantly (p ≤ .01) associated with reduced fat mass and waist circumference and increased lean body mass. Energy, carbohydrates, and fat intakes were significantly (p ≤ .01) correlated with increased body fat and waist circumference and reduced lean body mass. Energy, total and saturated fat intake were positively and significantly (p ≤ .05; .01) correlated with total cholesterol. Total fat was also significantly (p ≤ .05; .01) correlated with increased systolic blood pressure (r = 0.33), serum triglycerides (r = 0.33), LDL-C (r = 0.29) and VLDL-C (r = 0.28). Increased TDEE was significantly (p ≤ .01) associated with decreased body fat and waist circumference (r = 0.53 and 0.60) and increased lean body mass (r = 0.68).