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Health indicators, body mass index and food selection practices in college age students
Author(s) -
Burke Joanne Delaney,
Lofgren Ingrid Elizabeth,
Morrell Jesse Stabile,
Reilly Ruth Ann
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1063
Subject(s) - medicine , overweight , body mass index , blood pressure , obesity , anthropometry , triglyceride , demography , gerontology , physiology , cholesterol , sociology
Little is known about the dietary practices and weight status of college‐age students. The Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative measured anthropometrics, biomarkers, and dietary intakes from 788 students, (231 males, 557 females) age 18–25 years. Dietary records from 777 students were analyzed (Diet Analysis +7.0). Mean caloric intakes of males was 2741 ± 890 SD; for females 1864 ± 565 SD. 33% of the males and 22% of the females were overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9); 11% of the males and 7% of the females were obese (BMI ≥ 30.0). BMI was positively correlated with fasting glucose levels, LDL‐C, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood pressure( p < 0.01). Dietary sodium intake was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure in males (p < 0.05). For females, grain and fruit intake were negatively correlated with BMI (p < 0.05); > 50 % of the students did not meet MyPyramid recommendations for dairy or fruit intakes. Less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day was reported by 23% of males and 34% of females. College students are at risk of chronic disease related to poor dietary and lifestyle choices. Supported in part by Office of Sustainability, NH Agricultural Experiment Station #11R571.