Nutrition and Health Sciences, Department of
Date of this Version
Fall 11-19-2012
Citation
Lynn AL. Body Mass Index Trends and Nutrition Goals of College Students between 2007-2011 [master's thesis]. Lincoln: University of Nebraska-Lincoln; 2012.
Abstract
The incidence of overweight and obesity has become a major public health concern in the United States. The college years are a time during which many dietary and physical activity habits are formed. Health professionals on college campuses have the ability to reach large numbers of people and provide nutrition education to help reduce the rising rates of obesity. The purpose of this study is to examine the body mass index (BMI) trends of college students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, between the years 2007-2011 and to determine the nutrition-related goals of these students. Data was previously collected from NUTR 100 students (n=2353) as part of a class assignment. This data revealed increasing body mass index with increasing age for both males and females. Sixteen themes emerged from the nutrition goals including decreasing a specific food or type of food, increasing a specific food or type of food, physical activity, healthier eating habits, healthy lifestyle/being healthy, weight goals, balanced and varied diets, increasing muscle mass or strength, snacking, body composition, health conditions, mental or emotional-related goals, appearance, and having no goal.
Adviser: Wanda M. Koszewski
Comments
A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Nutrition & Health Sciences, Under the Supervision of Professor Wanda Koszewski. Lincoln, Nebraska: November, 2012
Copyright (c) 2012 Alison L. Lynn