Evaluating
the Relationship between Body
Materials and Methods
Subjects
Young adults (18-26 yo, n=16) were recruited
from an introductory nutrition course at UNH
during the summer 2007. Informed consent
was obtained from all subjects. All data was
collected at the Center of Health Enhancement,
UNH Durham campus. This study was
approved by the UNH Institutional Review
Board (IRB # 3329).
University of New Hampshire, Durham NH
Introduction
Obesity has been linked to numerous chronic diseases and
illnesses and has far-reaching consequences. According to the
National Health and Nutrition Education Survey (NHANES
2003-04), 66% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese (1).
Common conditions associated with overweight and obesity are:
Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and
cancer (2). Recently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has
called for increased research on the prevalence of overweight
and obesity among different demographics in order to identify
appropriate interventions (1). Increasingly physical activity is
viewed as a vital component of such interventions.
A decrease in physical activity is a significant contributing factor
in the obesity epidemic (3). In combination with a healthy diet,
physical activity aids in maintaining weight and the prevention
of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, type II
diabetes, and hypertension (4). Although it is recommended that
healthy adults achieve at least 10,000 steps per day (5) the
majority of American adults do not get enough exercise (1).
Purpose of This Study:
Few studies have focused on chronic disease risk in the young
adult population (6). This study offers relevant information to
help expand the current Young Adult Health Risk Screening
Initiative (YAHRSI) established at UNH in 2004. An ongoing,
cross-sectional investigation, YAHRSI aims to characterize the
current health status of young adults at UNH.
The primary objectives of this study were to:
 Examine the relationship between physical activity (steps/day),
body composition, and the metabolic syndrome, a clustering
of symptoms associated with obesity that predicts future risk
of developing heart disease and diabetes.
 Determine the feasibility of using pedometers to monitor
physical activity.
Recommended
Mean
Recommended
Age (y)
20.8 ± 0.4
-
21.6 ± 0.7
-
BMI (kg/m2)
26.2 ± 1.4
19-24.9
26.4 ± 1.3
19-24.9
13,577 ± 1871
10,000
10,120 ± 1259
10,000
Waist Circumference (in)
32.6 ± 1.1
<40
30.8 ± 1.1
<35
% Body Fat (ADP)
17.2 ± 4.0
12-20
31.8 ± 2.9
20-30
% Body Fat (BIA)
16.0 ± 2.3
12-20
27.8 ± 1.9
20-30
Assessment
BMI criteria; using body composition methodology
between 31% (BIA) - 44% (ADP) of subjects
exceeded recommended levels of body fat.
Women (n=11)
 BMI, standardly used to approximate body composition,
strongly correlated to both ADP and BIA.
 Activity level (steps/day) was negatively correlated
to body fat in young adults.
 44% of subjects were categorized as inactive
(<10,000 steps/day).
 HDL-cholesterol, one component of the metabolic
 Physical Activity (n=15)
Activity was evaluated via pedometers (New
Lifestyles SW-401) positioned at the waist,
between the hip and navel. Subjects were
instructed to follow their typical routines and
record the number of steps accumulated each
day for 7 days (5 weekdays, 2 weekend days).
A six-question survey was administered to
subjects after completion of the pedometer
trial. The questions assessed the feasibility of
using pedometers to monitor physical activity
in the YAHRSI project.
 Anthropometric (n=16)
Height, weight, and waist circumference
measurements were obtained following
standard protocols. With subjects standing,
waist circumference was measured at the
narrowest segment below the rib cage.
Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from
subjects’ weight in kilograms divided by their
height in meters2.
Body composition was measured via air
displacement plethysmography (ADP). ADP
lung volume was estimated via 3 predictive
equations according to subjects’ race.
Physical Activity vs. BMI, ADP, & BIA
40
Summary
60
Men
Women
40
 Our findings support the relationship between
20
20
R = -0.430
P = 0.125
BMI
0
60
R = 0.818
P = < 0.001
ADP
0
40
physical activity.
R = -0.415
P = 0.140
ADP
R = 0.912
P = <0.001
BIA
0
0
0
40
10
20
30
40
BMI (kg/m2)
Physical Activity vs. % Body Fat (ADP)
20
R = -0.561
P = <0.05
BIA
0
0
5,000
10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Steps/Day
40
P = <0.05
*
20
0
Inactive (≤ 10,000)
Active (≥10,000)
Activity Level (Steps/Day)
References:
1) National Center for Health Statistics, “Overweight,”
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm>, accessed 17 Feb 2007, updated
12 Feb 2007.
2) Must A, Spadano J, Coakley EH, et al. The disease burden associated with overweight
and obesity. JAMA; 1999: 282 (16):1523.
3) Dehghan M, Akhtar-Danesh N, Merchant AT. Childhood obesity, prevalence and
prevention. Nutritional Journal 2005; 4 (24):1-8.
Pedometer Survey
Feedback
Physical Activity Level vs. Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on
activity level: inactive (<10,000 steps/day) and
active (>10,000 steps/day). Pearson correlations
were used to examine relationships between
physical activity and body composition. Group
mean differences in body composition, BMI,
and metabolic syndrome risk factors were
evaluated via analysis of covariance using
gender as a covariate. Data are represented as
means ± standard error. All statistical analysis
were preformed using SPSS 15.0 for Windows.
 Overweight and obesity are prevalent among the
 Pedometers are a viable means to objectively monitor
20
20
physical inactivity and overweight and obesity.
young adult student population resulting in an
increased risk for developing chronic diseases.
40
Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) was also used
to evaluate body fat percentage following
manufacturer’s instructions.
Statistical Analysis
syndrome, was significantly lower among inactive
subjects as compared to active subjects.
BMI vs. ADP & BIA
% Body Fat
Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences
Men (n=5)
Mean
Physical Activity (Steps/day)
Key Findings
 63% of subjects were overweight/obese according to
Descriptive Characteristics
(n=16)
%Body Fat
Heather Carmichael and Jesse Morrell
among College-Age Students
Results
% Body Fat
Subject participating in body composition assessment using the air displacement plethysmography (ADP).
Composition and Physical Activity
Risk Factors
Recommended
Male Female
Active Level
(n=8)
Inactive Level
(n=7)
P
Waist Circumference (in)
<40
<35
31.0 ± 1.2
32.7 ± 1.2
0.317
HDL (mg/dl)
>40
>50
60.8 ± 4.4
46.1 ± 4.7
0.05
Systolic (mmHg)
<130
123.0 ± 3.7
127.3 ± 4.0
0.46
Diastolic (mmHg)
<85
81.3 ± 3.2
87 ± 3.5
0.25
Triglycerides (mg/dl)
<150
82.5 ± 16.6
119.2 ± 16.6
0.17
Fasting Glucose (mg/dl)
<100
92.7 ± 3.0
92.1 ± 3.3
0.89
 94% reported that
pedometer use during the
physical activity lab enhanced
their learning experience.
 80% thought pedometers
were easy to use.
 94% reported being truthful
when recording their steps/day.
4) Aldana SG, Greenlaw RL, Diehl HA, et al. Effects of an intensive diet and physical
activity modification program on the health risks of adult. J Am Diet Assoc 2005;
105 (3 ):371-81.
5) Tudor-Locke, Bassett DR. How many steps/day are enough? preliminary pedometer
indices for public health. Sports Med 2004; 34 (1):1-7.
6) McCracken, Jiles R, Blanck HM. Health behaviors of the young adult U.S. population:
behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2003. Prev Chronic Dis. 2007; 4 (2):1-15.
Acknowledgements:
This undergraduate research project was made possible by the Oliver J. Hubbard
Undergraduate Summer Research Award, Department of Animal and Nutritional
Sciences, UNH. Special thanks goes to Anne Ronan for her expertise during
anthropometric assessment; the Department of Animal and Nutritional Science for
the use of their facilities; and Sherry Palmer for her graphic design guidance.
Contact Information:
Jesse Stabile Morrell - [email protected]