title: Assessment of weight status, dietary habits and beliefs, physical activity, and nutritional knowledge among university students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess weight status, dietary habits, physical activity, dietary beliefs, and nutrition knowledge among a sample of students from Central Michigan University.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of undergraduate students in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 at Central Michigan University. Participating students completed an online questionnaire that included questions related to their eating habits, physical activity and lifestyle, dietary beliefs, and nutritional knowledge. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Percentage body fat and visceral fat score were determined using a Tanita body composition analyser (SC-331S).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcomes of this study indicated that 78% of female students were within the healthy weight range compared to 52% of male students. Visceral body fat and waist circumference scores were higher in males than in females. Most students showed 'satisfactory' dietary habits. Almost half of the students reported drinking two glasses of milk and consuming two cups of fruits and vegetables daily. Physical activity and lifestyle score indicated that most of the students were not physically active. Only 7% of students reported having a very active lifestyle, and 4% had quite good nutritional knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of students, particularly females, were within the healthy body weight range. Students' dietary habits were satisfactory. However, physical activity, students' knowledge of healthy and unhealthy diet habits, and nutritional knowledge needed improvement. Developing gender-specific programmes for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours among students is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA yahia1n@cmich.edu.
authors.forename: Najat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yahia
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Melyssa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapley
authors.affiliation: Director of Statistical Consulting Center, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Rajarshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dietary behaviours; nutritional knowledge; physical activity; university students