Association of sports participation and sedentary behavior with fiber intake in college students

Clemens Drenowatz; Maria do Carmo Greier; Martin Burtscher; Gerhard Ruedl; Cornelia Decristoforo; Klaus Greier; Clemens Drenowatz; Maria do Carmo Greier; Martin Burtscher; Gerhard Ruedl; Cornelia Decristoforo; Klaus Greier

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2026049

AIMS Public Health

2026, Volume 13, Issue 4: 928-946. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026049

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Research article

Association of sports participation and sedentary behavior with fiber intake in college students

1.
Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Education Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria
2.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
3.
Department of Sports Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
4.
Department of Pediatrics I, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Received: 22 April 2026 Revised: 31 July 2026 Accepted: 06 August 2026 Published: 23 September 2026

Background
The health benefits of regular physical activity and a balanced diet have been well documented. Even though dietary fiber has been shown to be a critical contributor to health, research remains limited on the association of fiber intake with lifestyle choices.
Purpose
This study aimed to analyze the associations of dietary fiber intake with sports participation and screen time among Austrian college students.
Methods
A total of 802 students (88.2% female; mean age 22.2 ± 2.2 years) completed an online questionnaire that included the 18-item FiberScreen, alongside questions on club sports participation, recreational sports, and screen time (smartphone, computer, TV).
Results
Fiber intake was generally low (15.8 ± 5.8 g/day), with only 7.0% of participants meeting the recommended 25–30 g/day. After adjusting for sex, age, BMI, and breakfast habits, no interaction effects of sports participation and screen time with fiber intake were observed. Participation in both recreational and club sports, however, was significantly associated with higher total fiber intake (p < 0.01) due to a higher intake from fruits and vegetables. Associations between total fiber intake or specific foods and screen time were limited.
Conclusion
Even though sports participation is cross-sectionally associated with fiber consumption, comprehensive approaches promoting active lifestyles and dietary quality are essential to address the generally low fiber intake in college students and to ensure future public health.
- physical activity,
- recreational sports,
- club sports,
- screen time,
- smartphone use,
- computer use,
- TV time,
- diet
Citation: Clemens Drenowatz, Maria do Carmo Greier, Martin Burtscher, Gerhard Ruedl, Cornelia Decristoforo, Klaus Greier. Association of sports participation and sedentary behavior with fiber intake in college students[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(4): 928-946. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026049

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Abstract

Background

The health benefits of regular physical activity and a balanced diet have been well documented. Even though dietary fiber has been shown to be a critical contributor to health, research remains limited on the association of fiber intake with lifestyle choices.

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the associations of dietary fiber intake with sports participation and screen time among Austrian college students.

Methods

A total of 802 students (88.2% female; mean age 22.2 ± 2.2 years) completed an online questionnaire that included the 18-item FiberScreen, alongside questions on club sports participation, recreational sports, and screen time (smartphone, computer, TV).

Results

Fiber intake was generally low (15.8 ± 5.8 g/day), with only 7.0% of participants meeting the recommended 25–30 g/day. After adjusting for sex, age, BMI, and breakfast habits, no interaction effects of sports participation and screen time with fiber intake were observed. Participation in both recreational and club sports, however, was significantly associated with higher total fiber intake (p < 0.01) due to a higher intake from fruits and vegetables. Associations between total fiber intake or specific foods and screen time were limited.

Conclusion

Even though sports participation is cross-sectionally associated with fiber consumption, comprehensive approaches promoting active lifestyles and dietary quality are essential to address the generally low fiber intake in college students and to ensure future public health.

Authors' contributions

Conceptualization, K.G. and MC.G.; methodology, K.G. and Cl.D.; formal analysis Cl.D.; writing - original draft preparation, Cl.D.; writing - review and editing, MC.G., M.B., G.R., Co.D.; project administration, K.G., G.R. Co.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Clemens Drenowatz and Martin Burtscher are editorial board members for AIMS Public Health. They were not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. All authors declare that there are no competing interests.

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