RESUMO
Background: Important changes in lifestyle habits, especially diet, typically occur during the transitional period between high school and college and some of these changes may increase the risk of inflammation. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between lifestyle factors and inflammation in college students. Methods: Students enrolled in a southeastern university participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed online questionnaires for assessment of demographics, supplement and dietary intake, sleep quality, and perceived stress. Body composition was measured during a clinic visit via air displacement plethysmography and blood and urine were collected for measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol, respectively. Analysis of variance was used to examine associations between tertiles of CRP levels and lifestyle variables and a linear regression model was fit to investigate whether there were any significant predictors of CRP levels. Results: Analysis included data for 83 participants for whom serum CRP levels and diet intake were available. Approximately 68% of the participants were female; mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 24 years and 23.4â kg/m2, respectively. Alcohol intake was significantly associated with increasing CRP levels (P = 0.017). No other dietary variables or lifestyle characteristics such as sleep quality, perceived stress, or BMI were associated with tertiles of CRP. The best model to predict CRP levels included urinary cortisol, aerobic exercise duration, alcohol, and vitamin E intake (adjusted R2=0.27). Conclusion: Alcohol and vitamin E intake were found to be associated with increased CRP levels.
RESUMO
The relationship between intake of dietary supplements and biomarkers such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor has not been well explored. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between supplement intake and biological and lifestyle factors. We hypothesized that dietary supplement intake was associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors. College students attending a Southeast university were recruited between January 2018 and April 2019. Blood samples were collected to measure insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Statistical tests employed were linear regression and analysis of variance. Ninety-eight participants completed the study and 91% reported taking at least one supplement, while 5.1% reported taking 9+ supplements once per week. There were no differences in levels of insulin, IGF-1 and ALT by levels of dietary supplement intake. Although there were no differences in HEI-2015 score among the groups, those who consumed five or more supplements met a higher percentage of the recommended intake for fruits, performed aerobic exercise for longer duration, and had lower body fat percentage compared to participants who consumed two or less supplements at least once per week. These findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest that dietary supplement intake is highly prevalent in college students, and it may be related to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Future studies should employ mixed methodology to examine reasons by which college students consume dietary supplements and to assess perceived and direct health benefits associated with consumption.