Nutrition, body composition and physical activity have differential impact on the determination of lipidemic blood profiles between young females with different blood cholesterol concentrations.

Introduction: This cross-sectional study explored whether nutrition, body composition, and physical activity energy expenditure (PAΕΝ) have a differential impact on lipidemic blood profiles among young females with different blood cholesterol concentrations.

Methods: One hundred thirty-five young female students (N = 135) were allocated into three groups according to their blood cholesterol concentrations (Chol): (A) Normal [NL; Chol: < 200 mg·dL; n = 56 Age: 21.4 ± 2.6 yrs, Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.1 ± 2.0 kg·m], (B) Borderline (BL; Chol: ≥200 mg·dL and <240 mg·dL; n = 44 Age: 21.6 ± 2.5 yrs, BMI: 24.2 ± 3.1 kg·m) and (C) High level (HL; Chol: ≥240 mg·dL; n = 35 Age: 22.5 ± 2.4 yrs, BMI: 28.9 ± 2.1 kg·m). Body composition [bioelectrical impedance analysis including lean body mass (LBM) and body fat mass], nutritional intake (recall questionnaire), daily physical activity energy expenditure through activity trackers and resting blood lipids concentrations were evaluated.

Results: Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that in the NL group, lean mass, daily PAΕΝ and daily energy balance were the determinant parameters of blood lipidemic profiles (B: -0.815 to 0.700). In the BL group, nutrition, body composition and daily physical activity energy expenditure exhibited similar impacts (B: -0.440 to 0.478). In the HL group, nutritional intake and body fat mass determined blood lipidemic profile (B: -0.740 to 0.725).

Conclusion: Nutrition, body composition and daily PAΕΝ impact on blood lipids concentration is not universal among young females. In NL females, PAEN, energy expenditure and LBM are the strongest determinants of blood lipids, while in HL females, nutritional intake and body fat mass are. As PAΕΝ increases, the importance of nutrition and body fat decreases, and vice versa.