THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT WITH THE INTAKE OF VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM RICH FOODS AMONG PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and overweight are one of the health problems that critically increasing nowadays in worldwide including Malaysia due to lifestyle changes such as inactive lifestyle as well as unhealthy eating habit. This study, therefore is to find if there is a relationship between obesity and overweight with the intake of vitamin D and calcium rich foods to see if there is any difference intake between normal, obesity and overweight group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 Management and Science University students (MSU) who having a normal, overweight and obesity of body mass index. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire consisting of two part which is sociodemographic questions and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
Result: For calcium intake, there is a significant association between body mass index (BMI) and calcium which is (p = 0.008) respectively and there is no significant association between BMI and Vitamin D intake (p = 0.594) Conclusion: The study found that there is a relationships between obesity and overweight with intake of calcium rich food and no relationship between obesity and overweight with the intake of Vitamin D. Further study are needed to build causal relationships and develop preventative measures.