Racial and gender differences in weight status and dietary practices among college students.
A questionnaire was used to assess nutritional intake, weight status, and dietary practices among 630 U.S. college students. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported heights and weights, and nutritional status was assessed via 24-hour recall. Sixty-four percent of the students had acceptable BMI levels (between 19 and 25); 16% of African-American females and 15% of African-American males had BMIs indicating obesity (30 or above). Approximately 18% of the students consumed 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables, 7% consumed 6 or more grain products, and 53% consumed 2 or more dairy products. Twenty-seven percent reported never/rarely eating fast foods. Recommendations are presented for the development of culturally appropriate health education/promotion programs in order to help college students meet Healthy People 2010 objectives.
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Department of Health Promotion and Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 28223, USA. rdigioac@email.uncc.edu
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D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data