Evaluation on nutritional status and body image of individuals between 18 and 30 years attended a private sport center

The aim of this study was to evaluate nutrition status, physical activity levels and body image of individuals attended a private sport center. This study was conducted on 100 individuals between 18 and 30 years who were members of Ankara City Club which was a private sport center in Çankaya region of Ankara city on dates between September 2014 and January 2015. Characteristics and nutrition routines of individuals attending were examined through survey. Participants' antrophometric measurements were done and body composition was detected with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BİA) Tanita MC/780, body mass index (BMI) is calculated. Participants' nutritional status was identified by food consumption frequency form; physical activity levels were evaluated by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form. In order to determine body image satisfaction and the perceived body 'Fox Body Attractiveness Subscale of Physical Self Perception Profile(PSPP)' and 'Berscheid,Walster and Bohrnstedt Body Image Questionnaire' scales were used. 45 percentage of individuals participating in the study are female and 55 percentage of individuals participating in the study are male. The mean age of individuals was 26.93±2.55 years old. The mean of BMI the male and female participants were 23.42±5.47 kg/m2, 26.33±4.16 kg/m2,respectively. A significant statistical difference was detected on participants' body fat percentage, body muscle mass and body muscle percentage values in comparison between genders (p<0.05). It was observed that males felt themselves worse whereas females ate less food on days without exercise (p<0.05). As inter gender body perception was examined, male individuals' pleasure of self-appearance (3.90±0.57) was more than the female individuals' pleasure of self-appearance (3.60±0.64), comes out as more satisfied, which was statistically important (p<0.05). A significant difference were not observed in between male and female participants on levels of body attraction by gender (p>0.05). As individuals' body image was examined according to BMI; fat male individuals (3.46±0.64) got lower points than normal (4.00±0.48) and overweight (4.01±0.57) male individuals, determined displeased with their overall body appearance (p<0.05). Also it was determined on females' pleasure perception on overall body appearance within gender that, hip/thigh proportion who were higher than 0.85 cm. were more pleased on a statistical basis in comparison to females hip/thigh proportion who were lower than 0.85cm (p<0.05). Minimally active male individuals' body part pleasure (3.77±0.55) was found on higher levels than female individuals (3.34±0.71) (p<0.05). As a result, it was determined that fat male and female individuals were less satisfied with their bodies, and didn't think themselves as attractive in comparison to slim, normal and overwight male and female individuals, whereas male individuals were more satisfied with their body parts and find themselves more attractive in comparison with female individuals.