The Effects of Physical Activity on Dietary Habits in Young Adults from Madrid

Background: The main objective of the study was to analyze the relation between the physical activity levels and diet quality of a group of young adults from Madrid. Methods: The nutritional and activity records of a group of 222 young adults (113 females and 109 males), with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years, were evaluated using dietary and activity questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. From the data collected, the food, energy, macro and micronutrients intake, activity coefficient, body mass index, and body fat percentage were calculated. Results: The study revealed that 67.1 % of the individuals evaluated (82.3 % of the females and 51.3 % of the males) were classified as sedentary. The sedentary individuals had a higher percentage of body fat compared to active individuals. Generally, active individuals consumed more cereals and less fat. The nutritional intake of the participants did not follow the recommended daily intake, however the nutritional intake of the active individuals was closer to the recommended, with higher micronutrient intakes. Conclusion: These results suggest that active individuals follow healthier diets and keep a more adequate body weight, which provides protection against several chronic diseases.