RESIDENCE OF COLLEGE-STUDENTS AFFECTS DIETARY-INTAKE, PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY, AND SERUM-LIPID LEVELS

Objective Dietary intake, physical activity, and serum lipid levels of college students living on and off campus were compared. Design Subje cts completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyle factors and a 3-day food record. Lipid levels were determined. Subjects College students e nrolled in an introductory nutrition class. Main outcome measures Ener gy and nutrient intakes and serum lipid levels. Statistical analyses p erformed Analysis of variance and Student's t tests were used to deter mine differences in energy and nutrient intakes and Serum lipid levels between men and women living on and off campus; chi(2) analysis was u sed to determine whether there were associations between residence and lifestyle factors; stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to investigate relationships among serum lipid levels, nutrient intakes, and exercise levels. Results Of the 104 participants, 81% were women a nd 19% were men; 51% lived on campus. In women, there was a statistica lly significant difference in age based on residence. Reported percent age of energy from protein was significantly higher in subjects living off campus. Serum triglyceride level and the ratio of total cholester ol to high-density lipoprotein were also significantly higher in stude nts living off campus. Applications/conclusions Residence may affect s erum lipid levels; living arrangements influence lifestyle factors suc h as food choices, nutrient content of the diet, and activity patterns . University foodservice directors are challenged to offer low-fat foo ds that students will choose to eat. Nutrition education is important for all students because their lifestyle may predispose them to develo pment of chronic disease.