Evaluation of meal frequency and excess nutrition demand in individuals performing regular physical activity

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional habits, Extreme Nutrition Requirement Scale (ENRS) and physical activity on appetite in individuals exercising and to reveal similarities and differences between individuals who do exercise regularly and individuals who have just started to do exercise. A total of 120 adult individuals between ages 18-64, including 60 individuals do exercise regularly and 60 individuals who have just started to do exercise, were included in the study at Sports International Altınoran Sports Center between May 2018 - November 2018. Demographic characteristics, physical activity and eating habits of the participants were recorded in the face to face questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of the individuals were made by body analysis, ENRS scale was applied and 3-day food consumption records were evaluated. Meal frequency of the participants was evaluated. It was found that 50% of the individuals who have just started to do exercise consumed 2 main meals and 50% of them consumed 3 main meals, and the majority (86.7%) of the individuals do exercise regularly consumed 3 main meals. When the consumption of snacks of the individuals participating in the study was evaluated; while 1.7% of individuals do exercise regularly did not consume snacks, it was found that 63.3% of individuals who have just started to do exercise did not consume any snacks. It was found that the number of snacks consumed was generally 1 snacks (%67.4) consumed by the individuals who have just started to do exercise, while the individuals exercise regularly were generally consuming 2 snacks (52.5%). When individuals were asked to define their nutritional status, the individuals who started the exercise mostly answered as moderate (%50) and bad (%45), while the individuals exercising responded mostly as good (%65). When the appetite, emotional status and body satisfaction scores of the people who do exercise regularly are evaluated according to their scores before and after doing exercise, it is seen that for both men and women individuals, their appetite status scores Show a significant decrease after staring the exercise whereas their emotional status, body satisfaction and health status scores increased meaningfully compared to before starting the exercise (p<0.05). The appetite, emotional status, body satisfaction and health status of inviduals were evaulated according to their gender and frequency of doing exercise. Women and men who do regularly were found to have significantly lower appetite and significantly higher emotional status, body satisfaction and health status assessments than women and men who have just started to do exercise (p<0.05). It was found that who have just started to do exercise compared to who do exercise regularly have a greater amount of extreme nutrition requirement. As a result, it is observed that regular exercise has a positive effect on appetite and food desire and individuals who do exercise regularly have better eating habits. Keywords: Physical activity, extreme nutrition requirement, meal frequency, eating habits, eating behaviors