Physical Activity, Obesity, Dietary Patterns, and General Health among Males in Arak, Iran

Background & Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity and dietary patterns of males in Arak, Iran and determine the relationship of these two variables with obesity and general health. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۴۰۰ males (aged ۲۰-۷۰ years) were employed using cluster-random sampling and the data were collected through urban blocking and household visiting. Physical activity, dietary patterns, and general health were assessed using Baekce Physical Activity Questionnaire (BQ), Adami and Cordera's nutrition questionnaire, and General Health questionnaire (GHQ), respectively. In addition, to determine the prevalence of obesity, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The values between ۲۵-۲۹.۹ kg/m۲ were considered as overweight and the values of ۳۰ kg/m۲ or higher were regarded as obese. Results: The results showed that ۵۱-۷۰ year-olds had the lowest physical activity and the highest BMI, compared to other age groups. There was a positive correlation between physical activity, dietary patterns, and general health (p<۰.۰۵). The prevalence of overweight and obesity were found to be ۲۱.۰۵% and ۹.۰۲%, respectively, which had a positive correlation with age and a negative correlation with physical activity (p>۰.۰۵). The obese category had the lowest physical activity. There was a significant relationship between the dietary patterns of different BMI categories (p≥۰.۰۵); however, no significant relationship was observed between the dietary habits of different BMI categories. Conclusion: It was found that low amount of physical activity and unhealthy dietary patterns and habits increased weight and obesity and reduced general health. Therefore, proper planning is needed for lifestyle modification in order to increase the physical activity and improve nutritional status.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dietary patterns and habits ، General health ، Obesity ، Physical activity ، الگوها و عادت های غذایی ، چاقی ، سلامت عمومی ، فعالیت بدنی