Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session I, Thursday, March 15, 2007, 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area II


Do Healthy Eating Behaviors and Barriers to Healthy Eating Differ Based on Physical Activity Status

Keith King, Krista Mohl, Amy Bernard and Rebecca Vidourek, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Background: Risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other diseases may be decreased through the incorporation of physical activity and healthy eating into one's life. Purpose: The present study examined whether involvement in healthy eating and perceived barriers to healthy eating differ based on gender, age, physical activity status and reason for engagement in physical activity. Research Design: After receiving university IRB approval, 204 undergraduate students were surveyed regarding their involvement in healthy eating. Participants were students in general education, fitness, or health promotion classes (N = 11 sections). All students voluntarily agreed to participate (participation rate = 100%). Surveys were completed at the beginning of regularly scheduled classes. The survey consisted of 22 items and examined four sections: 1)involvement in healthy eating, 2)barriers to healthy eating, 3)physical activity involvement and reasons for involvement, and 4)demographics. Content validity was established by distributing the survey to a panel of experts who offered suggestions and revisions. Stability reliability was established via a convenience sample of 15 college students who completed the survey on two separate occasions (one week apart). Pearson correlations on healthy eating and physical activity involvement yielded a .717 and .958, respectively. Internal consistency reliability yielded a .721. Results: Fewer than 10% of students met all recommendations for healthy eating based on the Food Guide Pyramid. Fewer than half (46.1%) met the recommended guidelines for four or more of the categories. Students were most likely to meet recommendations for the grain group (68.6%) and least likely to meet recommendations for the vegetable group (33.3%). The top three barriers to healthy eating were: time, convenience, and availability of healthy foods. There were no significant differences in barriers to or involvement in healthy eating based on gender. Less than half (40.3%)reported being physically active 4 or more times a week. However, being physically active did not have a significant effect on healthy eating. Reason for physical activity involvement also did not significantly affect healthy eating behaviors. However, juniors/seniors were significantly more likely than freshmen/sophomores to engage in healthy eating behaviors. Conclusions: Involvement in physical activity was not shown to significantly impact involvement in healthy eating. Implications of these findings and recommendations for enhanced healthy eating patterns among university students will be offered at this presentation.
Keyword(s): exercise/fitness/physical activity, nutrition, research

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