Research Paper

Dietary intake and different types of physical activity: full-day energy expenditure, occupational and leisure-time

Miguel Camões^a1 c1 and Carla Lopes^a1

^a1 Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Objective To describe the relationship between dietary intake and different levels and types of physical activity (PA).

Design Cross-sectional evaluation of the EPIPorto study. Energy expenditure (metabolic energy equivalent tasks) and dietary intake during the past year were assessed using a PA questionnaire and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, respectively.

Setting Representative sample of adults in Porto, Portugal.

Subjects Data were analysed for 2404 Portuguese Caucasian adults, aged between 18 and 92 years.

Results For total PA, males who were active had significantly higher mean intake of energy (10·76 (2570·7) vs. 9·78 (2336·9) MJ/d (kcal/d), P < 0·001) and lower level of protein consumption (16·9 vs. 17·6 % of energy, P < 0·001) compared with sedentary males. In males, the association between total PA and energy intake remained after adjustment for age, education and body mass index. Similar results were observed when occupational activity was analysed. Concerning the energy expended in leisure time, in both genders, after adjustment for the previously described variables, a significant positive association was found between PA and intake of vitamin C (g/d): β = 0·12, 99 % confidence interval (CI) 0·02, 0·21 for females and β = 0·13, 99 % CI 0·03, 0·22 for males. Leisure-time activity in females was also positively associated with intakes of fibre, vitamin E, folate, calcium and magnesium, and negatively associated with saturated fat.

Conclusions Higher levels of PA in leisure time were associated with higher intakes of micronutrients and lower intakes of saturated fat, particularly in females. For total and occupational PA, similar nutrient intake was observed between active and sedentary individuals.

(Received December 21 2006)

(Accepted September 16 2007)

Keywords

• Dietary intake;
• Physical activity;
• Lifestyle

Correspondence:

^c1 Email mcamoes@med.up.pt