Association of physical activity and healthy eating habits with body adiposity index among WAPDA office workers in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract Background Adiposity levels are on the rise as a result of the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits among office workers. While many studies have explored the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with physical activity and healthy eating but there is limited data regarding this association with a newer metric, body adiposity index (BAI), highlighting the need for this study. Aims To assess the association of physical activity and healthy eating habits with BAI among office workers. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among office workers in water and power developmental authority (WAPDA) offices of two districts (Abbottabad and Haripur) of province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October to December 2024. Two stage probability sampling was used to raise the sample using Cochran’s formula ( n = 288). Data was collected regarding socio demographics, hip circumference and height of the subjects were measured and BAI was derived as hip circumference / height^1.5–18 (%). Physical activity and healthy eating habits were assessed through international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and healthy eating assessment questionnaire (HEAQ) questionnaires. Pearson’s correlation was used and scatterplots were generated to assess the association of physical activity and healthy eating habits with BAI. A p value of < 0.01 was considered significant. Results IPAQ scores were weakly negatively correlated with BAI, r = -0.19, p < 0.001. Similarly, HEAQ scores showed a weak negative correlation with BAI, r = -0.29, p < 0.001. Conclusions Greater physical activity and healthier eating are associated with lower BAI in office workers, highlighting the importance of lifestyle interventions to prevent excess body adiposity in this population.