The relationship between anthropometry, dietary intake and physical activity in women (25-44 years) in Mangaung

South Africa, like many other countries, is a country in transition, leading to political, demographic, social, economical, and nutritional changes, affecting particularly the African population. This new era is characterised by changes from the traditional lifestyle, to a more western sedentary lifestyle and eating habits, associated with chronic diseases of lifestyle, including obesity. In addition, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa cannot be ignored, since nutrition, physical activity and HIV are strongly related. The effect of the nutrition transition, including the increase in chronic diseases of lifestyle, has prompted the need to determine the association between anthropometry, dietary intake and physical activity. A representative sample of 500 African women, (age groups 25-34, and 35-44 years), from the Mangaung area of Bloemfontein, was selected for the study. Levels of physical activity, anthropometric status and dietary intake were determined. Physical activity was determined using an adapted questionnaire that classified respondents into one of three physical activity categories (low, normal and high). Weight, height, circumference (waist and hip), and bio-impedance measurements were obtained, and used to calculate body mass index, fat distribution and fat percentage of respondents. Dietary intake was determined by means of a standardized food frequency questionnaire, and analyzed to determine the habitual food intake of respondents. A very small percentage of both HIV negative and HIV positive younger and older women hac physical activity levels that fell within the normal to high category. Women that were unemployec generally had lower levels of physical activity than those that were employed. Employed womer perspired more, climbed more stairs and participated more in sporting activities than unemployeo women. As expected, women that fell in the normal to physically active category also cycled more, although watching television was a leisure time