Leisure-time sport physical activity and dietary intake of foods in Spain
Chirlaque, M.D.; Tormo, M.J.; Navarro, C.
IARC Scientific Publications 156: 243-246
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5038 PMID: 12484178 Document Number: 547902
The relationship between leisure-time sport physical activity and food intake was evaluated in 37 287 subjects participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study in Spain (1994). Physical inactivity was significantly associated with older age, higher waist-hip ratio, low education level, tobacco smoking, high alcohol intake, and having had previous diseases. Higher physical activity was significantly associated with lower body mass index. Consumption of vegetables, fruits, fish, cheese and other milk products increased with increasing physical activity. Physically active subjects ate less tubercles, pulses, meat and cereals, and similar quantities of added fats than less active people. The average gender-weighted percentage change in the intake of some food groups increased from the lowest levels of physical activity to the highest; this increase was 15.9% for vegetables, 9% for fish, 6.7% for fruits, and 5.6% for milk products. The comparisons across the levels of intake remained significant when the other possible confounding factors were adjusted (age, body mass index, tobacco smoking, high alcohol intake, secondary and higher education and sedentary at work). Total energy intakes were similar across different physical activity levels (<2% change in total energy intake between extreme physical activity categories). It is concluded that differences between physical activity groups are more qualitatively (food groups) than quantitatively (kcal) driven, with caloric intake apparently similar across different levels of physical activity. People engaged in sport activity follow a healthier lifestyle, with a greater possibility of changing their dietetic habits in a healthier way.