Investigating the Effects of Dairy Products and Calcium Intakes on General and Central Obesity in Female Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Nowadays obesity is considered as a worldwide issue. Although genetics is one of the factors associated with obesity, but the predisposing factors are nutrition and environmental factors. There are several studies conducted regarding the relationship between nutritional factors and general obesity and central adiposity. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the dairy products consumption and prevalence of obesity and central obesity in the young female university students. This cross sectional study was conducted on 236 healthy female university students aged between 18 to 30 years old who were selected randomly from the university students of Isfahan University of Medical Science. A previously validated semi quantitative food questionnaire was used to assess the entire dietary component intakes. Physical activity was assessed by recording the daily physical activities. According to the findings of the study the prevalence of obesity, central adiposity and overweight was 1.7%, 0.9%. 8.1% respectively. The mean value of the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist circumference were respectively 21.54 kg/m2 and 70.37cm. The mean value of the dairy product consumption was 444.24 gram/day. There was not any significant relationship between the diary product consumption, the calcium intake and the weight and the waist circumference as well as the obesity and central adiposity and overweight prevalence (p>0/05). There was not any significant relationship between the dairy product consumption, the calcium intake and overweight, obesity and central adiposity among the young female university students. However the importance of the study was reporting of the prevalence of obesity, central adiposity and over weight as well as the mean values of BMI and waist circumference.