Examination of Nutritional Habits and Exercise Levels in Sedentary Individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and physical activity levels of sedentary individuals. Ninety-six individuals who did not exercise regularly voluntarily participated in the study. The nutrition Habits and Physical Activity questionnaire was applied to the participants. The data obtained were evaluated using SPSS program. As a result of the analysis; it was determined that the BMI value of the participants was close to the upper limit of normal, they had high scores in uncontrolled eating behaviors, and the participants were mostly in the low physical activity category. There were no significant differences in terms of the total score of eating habits in terms of genders. Additionally, a positive but low-level significant correlation was found between physical activity scores and hunger sensitivity, emotional eating, and the scale's total score. In light of this information, encouraging participants to participate in exercise programs and attending informative meetings on healthy eating to manage their eating habits and increase their physical activity levels may be beneficial.

Keywords

• Sedentary behavior
• Feeding behavior
• Exercise
• Health behavior

Sedanter Bireylerde Beslenme Alışkanlıkları ve Egzersiz Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sedanter bireylerin beslenme alışkanlıkları ile fiziksel aktivite seviyeleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya düzenli egzersiz yapmayan 96 birey gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcılara Beslenme Alışkanlığı ve Fiziksel Aktivite anketi uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS programında değerlendirilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda; katılımcıların BKİ değerinin normalin üst sınırına yakın olduğu, kontrolsüz yemek yeme davranışlarında yüksek puanlara sahip oldukları, katılımcıların çoğunlukla düşük fiziksel aktivite kategorisinde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Cinsiyetler açısından yeme alışkanlıkları toplam puanı açısından anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmamıştır. Buna ek olarak, fiziksel aktivite puanı ile açlığa duyarlılık, duygusal açıdan yemek yeme ve ölçek toplam puanı arasında pozitif yönlü ancak düşük düzeyde anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu bilgiler ışığında, katılımcıların yeme alışkanlıklarını düzenlemek ve fiziksel aktivite seviyelerini arttırmak için egzersiz uygulamalarına katılımlarının teşviki ve sağlıklı beslenme konusunda bilgilendirme toplantılarına katılımlarının sağlanması faydalı olabilir.

Keywords

• Hareketsiz davranış
• Beslenme davranışı
• Egzersiz
• Sağlık davranışı

References

1. Alosaimi, N., Sherar, L. B., Griffiths, P., & Pearson, N. (2023). Clustering of diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour and related physical and mental health outcomes: A Systematic review. BMC Public Health, 23(1), Article 1572. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16372-6
2. Baydemir, B., Yurdakul, H. Özden, & Özer, K. (2018). Physical activity level in elementary education second level children, physical self description and self-esteem. Journal of Human Sciences, 15(2), 1049–1057. https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v15i2.477010501
3. Beaulieu, K., Hopkins, M., Blundell, J., & Finlayson, G. (2018). Homeostatic and non-homeostatic appetite control along the spectrum of physical activity levels: An Updated perspective. Physiology & Behavior, 192, 23–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.12.032
4. Bellettiere, J., LaMonte, M. J., Evenson, K. R., Rillamas-Sun, E., Kerr, J., Lee, I. M., ... & LaCroix, A. Z. (2019). Sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease in older women: The OPACH study. Circulation, 139(8), 1036-1046. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.035312
5. Bilgiç, P., & Öteleş, S. (2019). Diyet kalitesi ve sedanter geçirilen süre obez fenotiplerinde metabolik sağlığı etkiler mi? Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 6(1), 39–54. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.541591
6. Blair, S. N., Cheng, Y., & Holder, J. S. (2001). Is physical activity or physical fitness more important in defining health benefits? Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33(6), 379-399. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200106001-0007
7. Blundell, J. E., Gibbons, C., Caudwell, P., Finlayson, G., & Hopkins, M. (2015). Appetite control and energy balance: Impact of exercise. Obesity Reviews, 16(S1), 67–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12257
8. Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K., & Laye, M. J. (2012). Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Comprehensive Physiology, 2(2), 1143-1211. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c110025

9. Carels, R. A., Young, K. M., Wott, C. B., Harper, J., Gumble, A., & Oehlhof, M. W. (2006). Weight bias and weight loss treatment outcomes in treatment-seeking adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 37(2), 162–168. . https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9089-4
10. Callela, P., Di Dio, M., Pelullo, C. P., Di Giuseppe, G., Liguori, F., Paduano, Valerio, G., Liguori, G.,& Gallè, F. (2024). Sedentary behaviors and eating habits in active and inactive individuals: A Cross-sectional study in a population from Southern Italy. Behavioral Sciences, 14(3), Article 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030208
11. Cengiz, Ş. Ş., Örcütaş, H., Ulaş, A. G., & Ateş, B. (2022). Sedanter bireylerin yeme bozukluğu, beden algısı ile fiziksel aktiviteye karşı tutum ve davranışlarının belirlenmesi. Uluslararası Güncel Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(1), 198–214.
12. Cleobury, L., & Tapper, K. (2014). Reasons for eating ‘unhealthy’ snacks in overweight and obese individuals. Appetite, 76, 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.02.004
13. Craig, C. L., Marshall, A. L., Sjöström, M., Bauman, A. E., Booth, M. L., Ainsworth, B. E., Pratt, M., Ekelund, U., Yngve, A., Sallis, J.F., & Oja, P. (2003). International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35(8), 1381–1395. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000078924.61453.fb
14. Donnelly, J. E., Blair, S. N., Jakicic, J. M., Manore, M. M., Rankin, J. W., & Smith, B. K. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand: Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(2), 459-471. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181949333
15. Fernandes, V., Rodrigues, F., Jacinto, M., Teixeira, D., Cid, L., Antunes, R., Matos, R., Reigal, R., Hernández-Mendo, A., Morales-Sánchez, V., & Monteiro, D. (2023). How does the level of physical activity influence eating behavior? A Self-determination theory approach. Life, 13(2), Article 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020298
16. Frayn, M., & Knäuper, B. (2018). Emotional eating and weight regulation: A Qualitative study of compensatory behaviors and concerns. Journal of Eating Disorders, 6(1), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-018-0210-6
17. Garber, C. E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M. R., Franklin, B. A., Lamonte, M. J., Lee, I. M., Nieman, D.C., & Swain, D. P. (2011). Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: Guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(7), 1334-1359. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213fefb
18. Gherasim, A., Arhire, L. I., Niță, O., Popa, A. D., Graur, M., & Mihalache, L. (2020). The Relationship between lifestyle components and dietary patterns. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 79(3), 311–323. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665120006898
19. Gillison, F. B., Skevington, S. M., Sato, A., Standage, M., & Evangelidou, S. (2009). The Effects of exercise interventions on quality of life in clinical and healthy populations: A Meta-analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 68(9), 1700–1710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.02.028
20. Hamilton, M. T., Hamilton, D. G., & Zderic, T. W. (2007). Role of low energy expenditure and sitting in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, 56(11), 2655-2667. https://doi.org/10.2337/db07-0882
21. Healy, G. N., Dunstan, D. W., Salmon, J., Cerin, E., Shaw, J. E., Zimmet, P. Z., & Owen, N. (2008). Breaks in sedentary time: Beneficial associations with metabolic risk. Diabetes Care, 31(4), 661-666. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-2046
22. Herbert, B. M., & Pollatos, O. (2012). The Body in the mind: On the relationship between interoception and embodiment. Topics in Cognitive Science, 4(4), 692–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-8765.2012.01189.x
23. Hill, J. O., Wyatt, H. R., & Peters, J. C. (2012). Energy balance and obesity. Circulation, 126(1), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.087213
24. Hopkins, M., Blundell, J. E., King, N. A., & Finlayson, G. (2019). Individual variability in compensatory eating following acute exercise in overweight and obese women. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(1), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098539
25. Júdice, P. B., Carraça, E. V., Santos, I., Palmeira, A. L., Jerónimo, F., & Silva, M. N. (2024). Different sedentary behavior domains present distinct associations with eating-related indicators. BMC Public Health, 24(1), Article 275. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17760-2
26. Karasar, N. (2011). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Nobel.
27. Karlsson, J., Persson, L. O., Sjöström, L., & Sullivan, M. (2000). Psychometric properties and factor structure of the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) in obese men and women. Results from the swedish obese subjects (SOS) study. International Journal of Obesity, 24(12), 1715-1725. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801442
28. King, J. A., Wasse, L. K., & Stensel, D. J. (2011). The Acute effects of swimming on appetite, food intake, and plasma acylated ghrelin. Journal of Obesity, 2011(1), Article 351628. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/578678
29. Kıraç, D., Kaspar, E. Ç., Avcılar, T., Çakır, Ö. K., Ulucan, K., Kurtel, H., Deyneli, O., & Güney, A. İ. (2015). Obeziteyle ilişkili beslenme alışkanlıklarının araştırılmasında yeni bir yöntem: “Üç faktörlü beslenme anketi”. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences, 5(3), 162–169. https://doi.org/10.5455/musbed.20150602015512
30. Knäuper, B., Rabiau, M., Cohen, O., & Patriciu, N. (2004). Compensatory health beliefs: Scale development and psychometric properties. Psychology & Health, 19(5), 607-624. https://doi.org/10.1080/0887044042000196737
31. Kostrzewa-Nowak, D., Nowak, R., Jastrzębski, Z., Zarębska, A., Bichowska, M., Drobnik-Kozakiewicz, I., Radzimiński, Ł., Leońska-Duniec, A., Ficek, K., & Cięszczyk, P. (2015). Effect of 12-week-long aerobic training programme on body composition, aerobic capacity, complete blood count and blood lipid profile among young women. Biochemia medica, 25(1), 103–113. https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.013
32. Lynch, B. M. (2010). Sedentary behavior and cancer: A Systematic review of the literature and proposed biological mechanisms. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 19(11), 2691-2709. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-10-0815
33. Loprinzi, P. D., & Cardinal, B. J. (2013). Association between biologic outcomes and objectively measured physical activity accumulated in ≥10-minute bouts and <10-minute bouts. American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(3), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.110916-QUAN-348
34. Matthews, C. E., Chen, K. Y., Freedson, P. S., Buchowski, M. S., Beech, B. M., Pate, R. R., & Troiano, R. P. (2008). Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003–2004. American Journal of Epidemiology, 167(7), 875–881. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwm390
35. Mozaffarian, D., Afshin, A., Benowitz, N. L., Bittner, V., Daniels, S. R., Franch, H. A., Kraus, W.E., Kris-Etherton, P.M., Krummel, D.A., Popkin, B.M., Whitsel, L.P., & Zakai, N. A. (2012). Population approaches to improve diet, physical activity, and smoking habits: A Scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 126(12), 1514-1563. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e318260a20b
36. Nowak, P. F., Bożek, A., & Blukacz, M.. (2019). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and quality of life among university students. International Journal of Social Research, 10(17), 1433–1453. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9791281
37. Owen, N., Healy, G. N., Matthews, C. E., & Dunstan, D. W. (2010). Too much sitting: The Population health science of sedentary behavior. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 38(3), 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e3181e373a2
38. Öztürk, M. (2005). Üniversitede eğitim-öğretim gören öğrencilerde uluslararası fiziksel aktivite anketinin geçerliliği ve güvenirliği ve fiziksel aktivite düzeylerinin belirlenmesi. Yüksek Lisans Tezi. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Programı, Ankara.
39. Pomeranz, J. L., Puhl, R. M., & Schwartz, M. B. (2013). The Potential role of exercise in reducing food reward. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7(6), 379–383. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827613488547
40. Pronk, N. P., Katz, A. S., Lowry, M., & Payfer, J. R. (2012). Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: The Take-a-stand project, 2011. Preventing Chronic Disease, 9, Article E154. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110323
41. Proper, K. I., Singh, A. S., van Mechelen, W., & Chinapaw, M. J. (2011). Sedentary behaviors and health outcomes among adults: A Systematic review of prospective studies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 40(2), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.10.015
42. Shahar, D. R., Schwarzfuchs, D., Fraser, D., Vardi, H., Thiery, J., Fiedler, G. M., ... & Stampfer, M. J. (2010). Dairy calcium intake, serum vitamin D, and successful weight loss. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(5), 1017–1022. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2010.29355
43. Spring, B., Schneider, K., McFadden, H. G., Vaughn, J., Kozak, A. T., Smith, M., Moller, A. C., Epstein, L. H., DeMott, A., Hedeker, D., Siddique, J., & Lloyd-Jones, D. M. (2012). Multiple behavior changes in diet and activity: A randomized controlled trial using mobile technology. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(10), 789–796. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.1044
44. Stice, E., Presnell, K., Shaw, H., & Rohde, P. (2005). Psychological and behavioral risk factors for obesity onset in adolescent girls: A Prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(2), 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.2.195
45. Tomiyama, A. J. (2019). Stress and obesity. Annual review of psychology, 70(1), 703-718.
46. Tremblay, M. S., Colley, R. C., Saunders, T. J., Healy, G. N., & Owen, N. (2010). Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 35(6), 725-740. https://doi.org/10.1139/H10-079
47. Trost, S. G., Owen, N., Bauman, A. E., Sallis, J. F., & Brown, W. (2002). Correlates of adults' participation in physical activity: Review and update. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 34(12), 1996–2001. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200212000-00020
48. Umut, S., & Mutlutürk, N. (2023). Sedanter bireyler ile düzenli egzersiz yapan bireyler arasındaki yaşam kalitesi düzeylerinin karşılaştırılması. Spor ve Rekreasyon Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(2), 11–26. https://doi.org/10.52272/srad.1325374
49. Yurdakul, H. Ö., & Baydemir, B. (2020). Comparison of physical activity and skinfold thickness of students living in rural and city center. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 24(5), 271-277. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2020.0508
50. Wang, K., Li, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, T., & Luo, J. (2024). Can physical activity counteract the negative effects of sedentary behavior on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents? A Narrative review. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, Article 1412389. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412389
51. Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The Evidence. Cmaj, 174(6), 801-809. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351
52. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under 5 years of age. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550536 , Access date: 10.03.2025
53. World Health Organization (WHO). (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic: Report of a WHO consultation.
54. Zhang, Y. (2025). Impact of dietary habit changes on college students physical health insights from a comprehensive study. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 9953. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94439-7