Assessment of Physical Activity and Nutrition

Running head: ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
ASSESSMENT OF PHYSCIAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
Abstract
Consumption of nutritious food along with adherence to required levels of physical activity is
required for healthy and sustainable life functioning. Hence, performance of accurate
assessments of physical activity and nutritional status is helpful for the identification of
shortcomings in the existing dietary and lifestyle status of individual, paving the way for
future corrections and positive health outcomes. University students are highly susceptible to
inadequate food consumption and sedentary lifestyle, due to overwhelming psychological,
social and academic transitions which are characteristic of that age, resulting in poor
nutritional status. The following research was performed to examine the nutritional and
physical activity levels of students studying in an Australian university using dietary,
physical activity and anthropometric assessments. The results of the study were also
compared with Australian recommendations to observed similarities and differences.

2ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Background of the Study............................................................................................3
Rationale of the Study................................................................................................3
Scientific Rationale: Physical and Nutrition Assessment......................................4
Objectives of the Study..............................................................................................4
Aims of the Study...................................................................................................5
Participants and Methods...............................................................................................5
Selection of Participants.............................................................................................5
Methodology of the Study..........................................................................................6
Micro and Macronutrient Intake............................................................................6
Energy Balance and Physical Activity...................................................................6
Anthropometric Measurement...............................................................................7
Results............................................................................................................................7
Macronutrient Intake..................................................................................................7
Table 1: Descriptive Statistics of Macronutrient Intake........................................7
Table 2: Nutrient Consumption Percentage as per Recommended Values............8
Micronutrient Intake...................................................................................................8
Table 3: Descriptive Statistics of Micronutrient Intake.........................................8
Table 4: Inadequacy of Micronutrient Intake.........................................................9
Energy Intake and Expenditure..................................................................................9

3ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
Table 5: Descriptive Statistics of Energy Intake and Expenditure........................9
Anthropometric Measurement.................................................................................10
Table 6: Descriptive Statistics of Anthropometrics.............................................10
Table 7: Distribution (%) of Body Mass Index (BMI) Categories......................10
Table 8: Distribution (%) of Waist Circumference (WC) Categories..................10
Discussion....................................................................................................................11
Findings of the Study...............................................................................................11
Limitations of the Study.......................................................................................11
Comparison with Australian Norms and Standards.............................................12
Intake of Calcium.....................................................................................................14
Energy Expenditure..................................................................................................14
Percentage of Body Fat............................................................................................15
Conclusion....................................................................................................................15
References....................................................................................................................16

4ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
Introduction
Individuals belonging to the ages of 18 to 24 years, that is, during the later stages and
early years of adolescence and adulthood, are often highly susceptible to harmful health
outcomes, such as poor nutritional status, deficiencies of essential micronutrients and
negligible levels of physical activity, resulting in abnormal anthropometric measurements (1).
This may due to the challenging emotional, psychological, social and academic
circumstances required to be overcome by university students. Hence, an adequate physical
and nutritional assessment is of utmost importance, prior to enlightening university students
on the necessity of maintaining appropriate dietary and lifestyle habits (2).
Background of the Study
The Australian Health Survey (2011-2012) reported that 70% or 12 million adults
residing in Australia, live lifestyles which are sedentary or engage in low levels of physical
activity. Also, it was found that that only 53% of Australians in the age group of 18 to 24
years, engaged themselves in appropriate levels of physical activity (3). According to the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australians within the age of 19, as well as
between the ages of 19 to 50, consumed vegetables and fruits below the recommended levels.
The data also reported insufficient intake of calcium and iron among Australian females (4).
Hence, the above data necessitates the need for adhering to adequate levels of physical
activity and nutrition. Conductance of adequate nutritional and physical assessments
enlighten individuals on the shortcomings of their existing health status, paving the way for
future treatments and positive health outcomes (5).
Rationale of the Study
Individuals engaged in university education, are often susceptible to distorted lifestyle
habits, since more often than not, they are compelled to change their residences of lack

5ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
inadequate nutritional and exercise knowledge (6). University students are highly susceptible
to fast or processed food consumption, insufficient physical activity and smoking or alcohol
consumption, upon being compelled by the demanding peer, academic, social, psychological
and emotional circumstances surrounding them. This results in distorted dietary consumption
and energy balance among university students, hence necessitating appropriate assessment
prior to management (7).
Scientific Rationale: Physical and Nutrition Assessment
Conducting assessment and imparting education on nutrition allows individuals to
correct their existing detrimental habits. An individual’s nutritional assessment provides key
insights of the possible distorted intake of certain nutrients, with the aim that these may
corrected in the future to prevent poor nutrition associated metabolic or deficiency disorders
(8). Poor bone strength, catabolic loss of muscle tissues, excessive adipose accumulation,
inadequate immunity and high prevalence of fatigue are major detrimental implications of
poor physical activity status (9). Hence, adequate physical assessments enlighten the presence
of possible inadequate exercise levels in an individual, for future correction and prevention of
above implications. Hence, nutrition and physical assessments must be conducted with the
underlying scientific rationale of ensuring positive health outcomes (10).
Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to examine the physical activity levels, nutritional status
and anthropometrics among university students in Australia, using nutrient intake, body
composition and energy expenditure assessments.