Date Available
12-7-2011
Year of Publication
2009
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Document Type
Thesis
College
Agriculture
Department
Hospitality and Dietetic Administration
First Advisor
Dr. Kelly Webber
Abstract
The effect of weight gain on college students may lead to physical and emotional problems that could continue into adulthood. Identifying behavioral, demographic, and psychological factors that impact college student’s weight status could aid in developing programs to help reduce weight and prevent weight gain in overweight and obese college students. This study evaluated the dietary habits, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics of college students entering a university-sponsored weight loss program. Results suggest that the majority of participants have experienced weight gain in the past year and none have experienced weight loss. The student’s diets tended to include less than the recommended amounts of fiber, calcium, vitamin A, fruits, and vegetables. Diets tended to include more than the recommended amounts of protein, carbohydrate, and sodium according to the USDA Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Students living on campus were found to participate in significantly greater amounts of strenuous physical activity than students living off campus. Self-efficacy for food consumption and physical activity was not found to have a significant effect on calories consumed or calories burned. A significant correlation was not found to exist between BMI and depression in this sample of college students.
Recommended Citation
Walters, Laura Brooke, "A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE DIET AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICES OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM" (2009). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 633.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/633
