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 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