Assessment of body mass index and body composition with physical activity and dietary preferences in university students
Authors: Petřeková Karin , Borzenko Nadezhda , Kovalová Martina , Strakoš Jan , Klvačová Anna , Kotoučková Ivana , Kruťová Jana 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
The analysis of body composition, especially the assessment of the amount and distribution of body fat and muscle mass in young people, has a relatively important clinical significance for detecting nutritional disorders. Inappropriate eating habits and insufficient physical activity contribute to changes in body composition. A healthy lifestyle, especially sufficient and correct nutrition, contributes to reducing the risk of developing nutritional disorders and their associated health complications and especially sufficient and correct nutrition, contribute to reducing the risk of developing nutritional disorders and the health complications associated with them.
Materials and methods
University students aged 19–25 years (⌀women = 21.6 ± 1.46, ⌀men = 21.5 ± 1.02) had their body composition measured using a bioimpedance device InBody 370S. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey (IPAQ, FPQ, FCQ) related to information on the level of physical activity, food selection preferences and factors influencing students' food choices was performed. The research took place at the Centre for Health Research at University of Ostrava from October 2020 to May 2021.
Results and findings:
For the majority of surveyed body composition parameters, most students (women and men) were found to have values that corresponded to their reference range. Body Mass Index (BMI) for 89.5% of men and 77.9% of women were within a normal range, while statistically significant differences between the sexes were confirmed for all body parameters (p < 0,001; p = 0,025). 50.4% of women had a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) parameter above the reference norm, and 44.3% of women had higher percentage body fat (PBF) values. Higher values of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), protein, minerals a bone mineral content (BMC) were identified in 36.8% of men. When asked what influences their choice of food, men rated the health category the highest (3 ± 0.56), but women preferred fast (convenient) food preparation (3.2 ± 0.52). Men had the lowest preference for snacks, starchy foods and dairy products (equal 3.7; SD 0.55–0.77). Women preferred meat and fish the least (3.6 ± 0.72). A total of 88 students (66.7% of men and women) achieved metabolic equivalent (MET) values of more than 3000 per week and thus had a high level of physical activity. Of this number, men (79%) were more active than women (64.6%).
Conclusion
BMI does not always have explanatory power for assessing body weight, as it does not consider the percentage distribution of fat and non-fat body mass in the total body weight. Men have a higher proportion of skeletal muscle mass and ensure a sufficient supply of food with high-quality protein content. Women who are genetically predisposed to higher body fat storage (and higher visceral fat percentage) can improve the skeletal muscle mass ratio by increasing physical activity and consuming enough lean meat, fish and quality dairy products. Physical activity and a varied diet have a positive effect on achieving optimal body weight, they are also effective in prevention against nutritional disorders (obesity, malnutrition) and other health complications related to these disorders.