COMPARISON OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND DIETARY INTAKE IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

Authors : Fatma Tayhan, Gizem Helvacı, Nurcan Yabancı Ayhan

Pages : 43-48

Doi:10.52831/kjhs.1603412

View : 155 | Download : 89

Publication Date : 2025-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: This study aims to compare the daily average energy and nutrient intakes, quantities consumed from food groups, and anthropometric measurements of young and middle-aged adults living in Türkiye. Another objective was to examine factors influencing the increase in waist circumference. Method: This study was carried out on 1052 adults, including young adults aged 20-34 years and middle-aged adults aged 35-64 years. A questionnaire addressing general information about adults and a one-day dietary intake was used in data collection. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference, were performed in the morning hours after an overnight fast by trained researchers using standardized techniques. These measurements were used to calculate the Body Mass Index, Body Adiposity Index, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, and Waist-to-Height Ratio. All data were collected between October 2023 and April 2024 during in-person interviews. Results: The mean age of young adults was 28.27±2.85 years, while the mean age of middle-aged adults was 44.56±6.75 years. The results achieved in this study revealed that 3.2% of young adults and 17.4% of middle-aged adults were obese (p<0.05). Moreover, body adiposity index and metabolic risk (based on waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and waist-height ratio) were significantly higher in middle-aged adults. The percentage of daily energy intake from saturated fats and the consumption of grains other than bread were higher in young adults, whereas daily intake of fiber, vegetables, fruits, and oily seeds was higher in middle-aged adults (p<0.05). Furthermore, daily energy intake, sugar and sugary products consumption, red meat consumption, fruit consumption, and age significantly influenced the increase in waist circumference among adults (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that there are significant differences in the nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of adults by age. Dietary factors predicting higher waist circumference in young and middle-aged adults are among modifiable targets for individual behavior modification. This study emphasizes the importance of developing strategies for healthy eating and prevention of central obesity among adults.
Keywords : Antropometri, Besin Alımı, Orta Yaş Yetişkinler, Genç Yetişkinler

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