Physical Activity, Stress, and Physically Active Stress Management Behaviors Among University Students With Overweight/Obesity.

Student physical activity is associated with lower stress. Research gaps remain regarding the types of stress management behaviors students use and how these behaviors are associated with students' activity levels. This study examined associations between physical activity and stress management behaviors among students (18-35 years). Students with overweight/obesity (n = 405) attending universities in 2 urban locations enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to promote healthy weight and completed the following baseline measurements: perceived stress, stress management behaviors, accelerometer-measured physical activity, and demographic characteristics. Perceived stress did not differ by physical activity status or race. A greater proportion of students meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines used physically active stress management behaviors compared to those not meeting guidelines (74% vs 56%; P = .006), and students using physically active stress management had lower stress scores (13.1 vs 15.5; P = .003). Among Black and White students only (n = 306), a greater proportion of White students used physically active stress management behaviors compared to Black students (77% vs 62%, P = .013). Results indicate differences in stress management behaviors by student activity level and race. During times of high stress, colleges/universities might support students by promoting stress management and physical activity in tandem, and tailoring messages to student activity levels and demographic characteristics.

Dietary fiber intake and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal African American women with obesity.

Fiber intake may be associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) but data from metabolically unhealthy African American women is sparse. We examined the association of dietary fiber intake and MetS among postmenopausal African American women with obesity. Baseline cross-sectional data from the Focused Intervention on Exercise to Reduce CancEr (FIERCE) trial of 213 women (mean age 58.3 years) were used. Dietary intake was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs). Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were performed to estimate associations of MetS with fiber intake and adherence to dietary fiber intake guidelines, respectively. Mean daily fiber intake was (10.33 g/1000kcal) in women with impaired metabolic health. We observed an inverse association of total fiber intake with MetS. One unit increase in energy-adjusted fiber intake was associated with a 0.10 unit decrease in the MetS z-score (p = 0.02). Similar results were obtained for both soluble and insoluble fiber. In multivariate-adjusted analyses, participants not adherent to fiber intake recommendations were more likely to have MetS as compared to those reporting intakes in the recommended range (adjusted odds ratio 4.24, 95% CI: 1.75, 10.30). Of the MetS components, high fasting glucose and high triglycerides were all associated with lower intake of fiber. Study participants who consumed a higher amount of fiber had a better overall metabolic profile and were less likely to have MetS in our cross-sectional analysis of postmenopausal African American women with obesity and unhealthy metabolic profiles.