Physical activity and dietary behavior with red blood cell distribution width

Abstract

Background: No studies, to date, have examined the concurrent effects of physical activity and healthy eating on red blood cell distribution width.

Purpose: Examine the association between accelerometer-determined physical activity and daily dietary patterns with red blood cell distribution width (RDW).

Methods: Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES were used. 4538 participants provided data on the study variables. Physical activity was assessed over a 7-day period via accelerometry. Dietary behavior was assessed using 2 recall surveys. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between physical activity and diet with RDW (outcome variable).

Results: Independent of established CVD risk factors, physical activity (β=-0.07, p=0.002), but not diet (β=-0.05, p=0.13), was associated with lower RDW. There was no evidence of multiplicative interaction (interaction term: β=0.02, p=0.65).

Conclusion: Physical activity, but not diet, was inversely associated with RDW. If confirmed by prospective studies, adoption of regular physical activity may help to prevent cardiovascular disease and mortality via changes in RDW.

Keywords: Accelerometry; Epidemiology; Healthy eating index; NHANES.