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College students' perceptions of healthy lifestyles--focus groups targeting diet and exercise in college

Mullett, Melissa R.

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Allied Medical Professions.
College students are known for consuming food that is high in fat, cholesterol and sodium, and low in fruits and vegetables. Additionally, once leaving high school, students’ physical activity levels decrease due to declined participation in organized sports. This study examined how these habits change upon entering college, the perceived barriers to eating healthily and maintaining physical fitness, and the beliefs of students on how a university can assist them in remaining healthy. Authors conducted six focus groups and discovered that college students eat more, eat at unstructured times, and make food choices based upon what is quickest, what is close in proximity, what’s available, and what is affordable. Furthermore, students participate in fewer organize sports. Barriers to healthy behaviors included time and social pressures, as well as cost and availability of healthy food. Lastly, students agree that exercise and balance are important; however, they believe that the University plays a part in their health and as a result, students desire healthy options and more information regarding the food that is available to them. Additionally, they believe the University needs to provide more dining facilities with later hours. The results indicate that college students, while they believe that being healthy is important, perceive a healthy lifestyle to be difficult to attain. Colleges and universities can use this information to establish programs to assist students in overcoming their barriers.
Kay N. Wolf (Advisor)
Jill Clutter (Committee Member)
Constance Boehm (Committee Member)
52 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mullett, M. R. (2008). College students' perceptions of healthy lifestyles--focus groups targeting diet and exercise in college [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413453043

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mullett, Melissa. College students' perceptions of healthy lifestyles--focus groups targeting diet and exercise in college. 2008. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413453043.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mullett, Melissa. "College students' perceptions of healthy lifestyles--focus groups targeting diet and exercise in college." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413453043

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)