Physical Activity and Body Composition in Vegetarian and Omnivorous Female Medical Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
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- Category: Vol. 91, March 2023
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Physical Activity and Body Composition in Vegetarian and Omnivorous Female Medical Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study, MUNEERA M. ALMURDI, AFAF A.M. SHAHEEN, ASMA S. ALRUSHUD, MAHA F. ALGABBANI, SULTANA A. ALHURISHI, NORAH S. ALSHAHRANI, KHUZAMA F. ALSARRAH, NADA M. ALDAWOOD, LAMA A. ALOBEID and NADA F. ALOTAIBI
Abstract
Background: Despite the rising popularity of vegetarian-ism, including in Saudi Arabia, there are relatively little data on the relationships between diet type, physical activity (PA) levels, and body composition, especially in young Saudi females. Aim of Study: To compare PA levels and body composition metrics in vegetarian and omnivorous female medical students attending the [redacted], Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: One hundred and five students were enrolled, with a mean age of 21.86±2.02 years. Students were classified as omnivorous (n=63) or vegetarian (n=42). PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-form. Body composition [BMI, total muscle mass, total fat mass, total body water, protein, minerals, and basal metabolic rate (BMR)] were calculated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Results: There were no significant differences in PA nor body composition variables between vegetarian and omnivo-rous students (all p>0.05). PA was significantly negatively correlated with BMI, total fat mass, and protein (all p<0.05) in omnivorous students, with weak, non-significant positive correlations between PA and body composition metrics in vegetarians. Conclusion: PA level and body composition variables were not significantly different between vegetarian and om-nivorous female medical students. PA was significantly cor-related with BMI, total fat mass, and protein in omnivores.