Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2007
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department / School
Biology
Abstract
Family meals have been found to contribute to healthy development of children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify if North Dakota youth who routinely participate in family meals are more accurate in their weight perception and have improved nutritional intake. It was also intended to determine if differences existed in weight perception and family meal participation for youth based on attendance in urban or rural schools. Retrospective data from 1715 adolescents who participated in the 2005 North Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey was analyzed. Social cognitive theory was used to explain interaction between personal factors, external physical and social environmental factors and behavioral factors. Kappa statistics were computed on the extent of agreement between perception of weight and calculated BMI. Chi-square analyses found family meals did not associate with agreement between weight perception and calculated BMI categories. Dietary intake for fruit and vegetables and milk improved, and sugar-containing beverage consumption decreased as meal participation increased. Rural versus urban school enrollment did not associate with family meal participation or match of weight perception. Based on the findings and identified limitations in the data set, further research is necessary to improve validity of the survey methodology, particularly in regard to defining family meals, identifying rural and urban residency, and the use of BMI as a measure of body fat for adolescents. The research findings also suggested further study is necessary to assess why more adolescents do not eat with their families, if meals impact accuracy of weight perception, and why adolescents do not consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables and milk.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Teenagers -- Nutrition -- North Dakota
Food habits -- North Dakota
Self-perception
Body mass index
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
142
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Agnew, Wanda, "The Association of Family Meals and Agreement Between Weight Perception and Body Mass Index for Adolescents in Urban and Rural Communities in North Dakota" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1413.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1413