Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to i) assess the food and nutrition environment of a Midwest state college campus ii) examine the association between the food and nutrition environment and its association between food choices and body image.
Methods
College students on a Southwest state college campus completed a food environment survey(NEMS-P), a demographic survey and a body image survey comprised of SATQ-3, SATQ-4 and additional questions regarding social media use and dormitory food rules (n = 188). To assess whether there was an association between students (freshmen, sophomore, juniors, seniors) having healthier foods available and less occurrences of trying control weight or shape, a binomial linear model was used to determine causal relationship between responses. Chi square test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to determine whether there was an association between how college students feel about their weight or shape and concern regarding nutritional content of food available.
Results
There was a significant association between college students being both unhappy with their shape and weight and grocery shopping with weight control in mind (p < 0.05). There was a significant association (P < 0.01) between freshmen being unhappy with their weight and higher occurrences of eating at “healthier” restaurants. Students having more fruit, vegetables and whole grains available and less occurrences of trying to cut down on food to control weight or shape was statistically significant at 10%, but was not statistically significant at 5%, estimate value equal to 0.488 (P ≤ 0.0645).
Conclusions
Assessing the nutrition environment can provide valuable information that has the potential to positively shape policies and practices that create a nutrition environment that supports students in making healthy choices, identify weight management opportunities, and also potentially reduce barriers to healthy behaviors on the college campus. The campus nutrition environment can provide students the opportunity to learn about and practice healthy eating through available foods and beverages, nutrition education and messages about nutrition in the cafeteria/food service areas and throughout the college campus.
Funding Sources
N/A.