Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2009
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Nutrition, Food Science, and Hospitality
Abstract
Objective: The United States Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 66% of American adults are overweight or obese and 17% of children and adolescents are overweight. The greatest rate of weight increase occurs between the ages of 20-29 years. Programs targeting prevention of weight gain are needed. The objective of this study was to determine and prioritize specific health goals or problems that influence quality of life in the 18- 24 year old population at South Dakota State University (SDSU) for the development of a program that prevents weight gain in this population.
Design and Methods: Online-focus groups were conducted with full-time students, who were non exercise science or nutrition majors to query for quality of life and health issues important to them. Transcripts were coded to consensus for universal themes using Nvivo7. Following the focus groups, 377 students completed an online survey with questions specific to campus life and services, weight, height, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, general health, and life satisfaction to confirm and prioritize specific health goals and problems that influence quality of life. SAS ver.9.2 statistical analysis program was used to explore correlations between survey variables.
Results: Thirteen students participated in the focus groups; 7 males, 6 females. Focus group universal themes revealed that relationships with family and friends, academics, time management, finances, stress management, and achieving good health were of greatest priority. Three hundred and seventy-seven students participated in the survey; 101 (27%) males and 276 (73%) females. Mean BMI of the survey participants was 24±0.2, and mean MET-minutes per week was 5836, which is categorized as highly active. Two hundred and fourteen (57.2%) participants consumed less than 2 cups of fruit per day and 333 (88.8%) participants consumed less than 3 cups of vegetables per day. Desired intake was greater than actual intake for fruits and vegetables. General health and life satisfaction scores ranked students in optimal health and pleased with life. Fruit (p< .0001) and vegetable intake (p=.0092), and desired fruit (p=.0271) and vegetable intake (p=.0054) were positively significant when correlated with activity. In addition, BMI was negatively correlated with likeliness to exercise 3-5 x/week (p=.0003), positively correlated with intentional efforts at weight loss (p< .0001 ), and negatively correlated with desired BMI (p=.0004).
Conclusion: This study provides insight into young adults lives and helps researchers understand which factors are most important to them. In addition, these results indicate that young adults are aware of the importance of healthy behaviors, however the majority are not actively engaging in these behaviors. As the obesity rate continues to increase in America, young adults need to actively par take in healthy behaviors. This data will be used to help develop an intervention focused on the prevention of weight gain in young adults emphasizing increased fruit and vegetable intake and activity.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
College students -- Health and hygiene -- South Dakota -- Brookings
Health behavior -- South Dakota -- Brookings
Health attitudes -- South Dakota -- Brookings
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
98
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Likness, Kelsey, "Specific Health Goals and Problems that Influence Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors by the 18-24 Year Old Midwestern College Population" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1586.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1586
