Obesity, Diet, and Physical Activity of College Students

Jimmie Bunting & Cole Stuerke

Introduction

Study examined incidence of obesity and healthy lifestyle behaviors of college students

Observed students in health & non health-related majors

Stated individuals are more likely to follow advice of health care professional if they live healthy lifestyle

Why?Relatable and has personal significance

Obesity is an epidemic in America

Obesity can be life-threatening

Can be controlled and reversed with lifestyle changes

Population 96 undergraduate full-time college students (61 women,

35 men)

Average age of 21.9±0.6 years, representation from all classes

Represented ethnic diversity of campus (75% Caucasian, 7% African American, 9% Asian American, 5% Hispanic, 4% other)

46% in health-related majors, 54% in non health-related

45% lived on-campus, remainder off-campus (with or without parents)

Hypothesis“Students in health-related majors would be less

likely to be overweight or obese”

More physically active

More likely to eat recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables

We agreed with hypothesis, but believed differences would only be slight

Testing MethodSupine Position

Blood pressure & resting heart rate

Body Comp: height, weight, % body fat, waist & hip circumferences

BMI (from waist and hip measurements)

YMCA 3-min step test

Health habits questionnaire

ResultsNo significant difference in body comp between

groups

Trend that health-related majors less likely to be overweight or obese

31% of entire population was overweight or obese

38% non health-related majors

21% health-related majors

Exercise Prescription Overview

Goal: high calorie expenditure causing weight loss

2 days – resistance training (1 upper body, 1 lower body)

2 days – interval training/aerobic circuit

2 days – light aerobic activity, i.e. sport of choice, light walk/jog

Monday Warm-up: 5-10 min treadmill walk

Upper Body Resistance Day (3 sets, 10-12 reps)

Bench Press

DB Military Press

Biceps Curl

Triceps Extension

Lat Pulldown

Core Workout, 30 sec each (leg lifts, bicycles, crunches)

15 min Static Stretch Cooldown

TuesdayWarm-up: 10-15 min light bike

HIIT Training – 300 Workout (50 Each Exercise)

Jumping Jacks

Mountain Climbers

Sit-ups

Bodyweight Squats

Push-ups

Medicine Ball Slams

15 min Static Stretch Cooldown

WednesdayLight Aerobic Day

Goal is to stay active without high exertion

Options include:

- 20-30 min light walk/jog

- sport of choice

- 20-30 min swim

ThursdayWarm-Up: 10-15 min light elliptical

Lower Body Resistance (3 sets, 10-12 reps)

Seated Leg Press

DB Lunge

Bodyweight Calf Raises

Leg Curl Machine

Leg Extension Machine

15 min Static Stretch Cooldown

Article Reference

FERRARA, C. M., NOBREGA, C., & DULFAN, F. (2013). OBESITY, DIET, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS IN HEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONS. College Student Journal, 47(3), 560-565.