17th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
A Nutritional Analysis of College Students at a small, Midwestern University
Jill M. Meyer
Ms. Liz Jorn and Dr. Jerry L. Mayhew , Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional habits of male and female college students. Females (n=100, Age=19.2±1.3y, Wt.=142.2 ±28.1lbs) and males (n=67, Age=19.5±1.2y, Wt.=183.8 ±47.2lbs) completed a three-day diet log in a required health class at a small, Midwestern university. Diet logs, analyzed using Dine Healthy Software, indicated that students who lived off-campus consumed less caffeine (55.7 mg vs. 97.7 mg) and more sodium (3451.7 mg vs. 3010.7 mg). Despite non-significant differences between the means, on-campus students consumed four-times as much alcohol and two-times as much caffeine than off-campus students. All students were low in iron and calcium intake but high in vitamins C and A. These results indicate that all students, especially those living off-campus, need more education with regards to nutritional choices particularly in a time when they are being bombarded by “fad” diets.
Keywords: nutrition, diet, vitamins, calcium, caffeine, alcohol
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 17-1
Location: VH 1000
Time: 10:00