The Correlation of Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Performance and Biochemical Measurements with Nutrient Intakes in Male College Students

Possible correlations between nutrient intake add health status-as assessed by anthropometric measurements, physical performance and biochemical measurements-were investigated, using 514 healthy young men aged 20 years old who had no apparent health problems. The intakes of nutrients were estimated using a three-day dietary recall method. Height and body weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Physical performance was tested using sit-ups, push-ups, a loom sprint and a 1,500m run. When compared with the Korean recommended dietary allowances (Korean RDA), the subjects nutrient intakes were adequate except for calcium. The intake of calcium was 516.66$\pm$293.43mg/day, which is 73.80 % of the Korean RDA. The subjects averaged 174.51$\pm$7.07cm in height, 68.17$\pm$9.25 kg in body weight and 22.23$\pm$2.16 in BMI. The associations between nutrient intakes and anthropometric measurements, and between nutrient intakes and physical performance, were weak. The intake of vegetable fat was positively correlated to body weight, whereas the intake of carbohydrate was negatively correlated to BMI. The intake of carbohydrate was positively correlated to the level of performance in the loom sprint, and the intake of vegetable Int was positively correlated to the level of performance of sit-ups. No correlation was found between nutrient intakes and the following biochemical measurements of the blood: the levels of glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, hemoglobin and hematocrit. These results suggest that anthropometric measurements and level of physical performance can be associated with energy nutrient intakes, even in moderately active, well-nourished, young men. No correlation was found between nutrient intake and biochemical measurements, probably because all subjects had a reasonably well-balanced diet.