The association between dietary acid load and body composition in physical education students aged 18–25 years

Aim To find the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and body composition in physical education students. Methods This study was carried out on 207 students of both genders aged 18–25 years. DAL was calculated based on potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) methods. Anthropometric indices were measured. Bioelectric impedance was used to assess body composition and other related items. Results The mean score of NEAP and PRAL was 80.18 ± 31.30 and 33.94 ± 22.11, respectively. The mean weight and fat mass of subjects were 64.05 ± 9.72 kg and 20.28 ± 0.67 kg, respectively. Participants in the highest tertile of PRAL had a higher weight (64.56 ± 1.14 kg) in comparison with participants in the lowest tertile (61.65 ± 1.19 kg) ( P = 0.027). After adjusting for confounders, a significant positive association was found between NEAP score and hip circumference ( β = 0.206, P = 0.039), body mass index ( β = 0.214, P = 0.031), fat mass ( β = 0.218, P = 0.001) and body adiposity index ( β = 0.182, P = 0.037). Furthermore, a statistically significant negative association was observed between total body water and NEAP score ( β = − 0.217, P = 0.001) and the percentage of fat-free mass and NEAP ( β = − 0.229, P = 0.001). Conclusion Individuals with a higher DAL score may have a higher weight, fat mass and hip circumference and a lower fat-free mass. In addition, there might be an association between DAL and obesity.