The Relationship of Nutrition Knowledge, Nutrition Attitude, and Physical Activity with Biomotor Abilities and Body Mass Index among Female Adolescent Students

Abstract

Background: Better understanding of adolescents’ nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitude, and physical activity seems to help develop more effective interventions to promote their health. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of nutrition knowledge and attitude, and physical activity with biomotor abilities and body mass index (BMI) among female adolescent students. Methods: In a descriptive-correlational field study conducted from March to June 2023 in Marand, Iran, 325 female adolescent students aged 15-18-year-old were enrolled through a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected using demographic, nutritional knowledge, nutrition attitude, and Baecke habitual physical activity questionnaires. The sit and reach flexibility, Plank, and YMCA 3-minute step tests were also undertaken. Results: Nutrition knowledge had significant correlation with biomotor abilities and physical activity, while nutrition attitude showed significant correlation with BMI. Conclusion: Evidence-based health behavior change techniques are suggested to improve biomotor abilities and physical activity and to maintain BMI within normal range.

Keywords

• nutrition knowledge
• nutrition attitude
• body mass index
• physical activity