Abstract
Background and Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine and compare the level of calcium intake, physical activity status, body mass index in childbearing age women attending the health care centers .
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 399 childbearing age non pregnant,non lactating women who were visited in health centers and 200 healthcare providers. By interviewing to each individuals, their general characteristics, 24-hour dietary recall, and dairy food consumption were entered a questionnaire.
Results: Both groups’ data revealed a state of calcium intake deficiency. Daily frequency of milk and cheese consumption’s in healthcare providers were significantly higher (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively) than that of women attending health centers. At all, 38.4%, 43.7%, and 17.9% of subjects had physical activity at low, average, and high level respectively, with no significant statistics differences between two groups. Mean of body mass index (BMI) in women who attended health centers was significantly higher than that of healthcare providers (27.4 ± 4.95 vs 26.07 ± 3.92, P<0.001). There were no significant statistics relationships between BMI with calcium intake and physical activity by adjusting age in both groups.
Conclusion: Majority of women in our study was with low level of calcium intake, low physical activity and also was overweight.