Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) of Female College Students According to Obesity and Exercise Participation.

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%) (=0.016). There was no significant difference between the scores of overall diet quality according to BMI classification (>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 (=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 (<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.