Relationships between health behaviors and body fat percentage among nigerian immigrants in the dallas-fort worth metroplex, United States.

BACKGROUND

The Nigerian immigrant population in the United States (U.S.) has increased substantially over the past three decades; however, limited research has examined the relationships between health behaviors and body fat percentage in this population. This study investigated the associations between physical activity, dietary intake, and body fat percentage among foreign-born Nigerians residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, U.S.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 Nigerian immigrants using convenience sampling. Body fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and dietary intake was evaluated using the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24). Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between physical activity, dietary intake, and body fat percentage.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 34.29% and 28.57%, respectively. No statistically significant associations were observed between physical activity level, fruit intake, vegetable intake, red meat consumption, and body fat percentage (p > 0.05). Specifically, low physical activity level was not significantly associated with body fat percentage (OR = 4.25, 95% CI: 0.57-31.94, p = 0.16). Participants also reported low mean daily fruit intake (0.74 ± 0.78 cup equivalents/day) and high mean daily red meat consumption (4.73 ± 4.56 ounce equivalents/day) relative to U.S. dietary recommendations (1.5-2 cup equivalents/day and 1.7-2.6 ounce equivalents/day, respectively).

CONCLUSION

No significant associations were found between selected health behaviors and body fat percentage. However, the observed dietary patterns warrant further investigation in larger longitudinal studies.