Research
Perspectives in Practice
The University of New Hampshire's Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.07.005Get rights and content

Abstract

Few comprehensive studies exist that evaluate the nutrient intake and health indicators of college-aged students. This article describes the University of New Hampshire's Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative and examines results from participants evaluated from September 2005 through July 2007. This cross-sectional study included 1,701 students who enrolled in an introductory nutrition course, met age requirements (18 to 24 years), agreed to participate, and completed related assessments. All evaluation components were built into the semester-long course design, thus minimizing participant burden. Anthropometric measurements, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure were measured directly by research staff. Online dietary intake was self-reported and evaluated using a software program. Health risk data indicate high rates of overweight (33%), elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (53%), and elevated systolic (47%) and diastolic blood pressures (39%). Less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day was reported by 28% of respondents. The majority of males (94%) and females (73%) exceeded sodium guidelines. Although females were less likely to be overweight than males, few met recommended intakes for vitamin D (26%), calcium (25%), potassium (35%), iron (31%), and folate (32%). Undergraduate and graduate dietetics students assisted with biological assessments, data entry, and record maintenance. Data inclusion rates ranged between 84% and 94% for various measurements. The methods employed in this study could be modified by institutions interested in profiling the health status of students. Results have led to an enhanced understanding of the nutrition practices and health status of this population and will serve to inform university programs and policies.

Section snippets

Design and Study Population

Prior to initiation of Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative, the protocol was reviewed and approved by the University of New Hampshire Institutional Review Board for inclusion of human subjects. The Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative is a cross-sectional study that began as a pilot study in 2004. Each term since the fall of 2005, students enrolled in an introductory nutrition course have been recruited for participation. This course fulfills a general education biological

Results

Subject characteristics are presented in Table 1. Approximately 82% (1,814 of 2,220) of enrolled students agreed to participate in the Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative; 1,701 of these students met the target age range. The sample was comprised of 28% males and 72% females. Mean age of the males and females was 19 years. The vast majority were white students, with the remaining 6% represented by a mix of racial and ethnic minorities. The class distribution by major indicated <25%

Discussion

Results from the Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative indicate that many students are overweight, do not engage in recommended amounts of physical activity, are at increased health risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, based on biochemical screening indicators, and have diets that do not meet recommended intakes for key nutrients. Overweight rates are similar to those reported by Brunt and colleagues (37) and Wharton and colleagues (38). Likewise, reported

Conclusions

This article presents results from a classroom-based research project and provides strategies through which institutions of higher education can begin to gather in-depth nutrition and health data on young adults. The study demonstrates that it is possible to assess student dietary practices and health risk status. Anthropometric measurements, biological assessments, clinical measures dietary analysis, and survey results indicate that many college-aged students have one or more risk factors for

J. D. Burke is director of dietetic internship and clinical assistant professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

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    J. D. Burke is director of dietetic internship and clinical assistant professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

    R. A. Reilly is a clinical associate professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

    J. S. Morrell is a lecturer, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

    I. E. Lofgren is an assistant professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston; at the time of the study, she was a lecturer in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

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