Adequacy of Fluid Intake Among College Students

Abstract

The purpose in this research is to determine the beverage consumption preferences and adequacy of fluid intake of college students who reside in residence halls. Research questionnaires where placed in mail boxes of 1,000 randomly selected college students during the fall of 1994. Data collected (N=317; 31% response) were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, t-tests, Analysis of Variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test to determine if significant associations existed (p≤0.05) between personal variable, nutrition knowledge and exercise with beverage consumption. Respondents were predominantly female (63%), 17–20 years of age (76%), freshmen and sophomores (95%), White (81%), enrolled in Arts & Sciences (39%) and were either Protestant (46%) or other (41%). A majority of the students were on a less than 15 meals per week meal plan, consumed 1–5 breakfasts (60%), 0–5 lunches (60%) and 0–5 dinners (56%) per week. Two-thirds of the students ate 1–2 snacks, while one-fourth consumed 3–15 snacks per day. Two-thirds of the students indicated that choice of beverage provided was a factor in beverage selection. Although almost three-fourths of the students knew that a healthy diet should include eight or more glasses of water per day, only 15% consumed this amount. A majority of the students knew what constituted a healthy diet except for the number of servings under the bread and cereal category. Fifty-eight percent of students exercised 30 minutes or longer three or more times per week. No association between personal variables and the consumption of milk & tea were found. Gender was significantly associated with the consumption of fruit juice, vegetable juice, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol. Ethnicity was significantly associated with the consumption of fruit juice, water, coffee, and alcohol. Age was significantly associated with only fruit juice consumption. Meal plan was significantly associated with vegetable juice, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol. Knowledge of the number of servings in a healthy diet for meat and milk were significantly associated with the consumption of milk, soft drinks, and alcohol. The knowledge of the number of servings of vegetable and fruit were significantly associated with the consumption of soft drinks, and coffee. Those who exercised three or more times per week for 30 minutes or longer consumed more milk, vegetable juice, fruit juice and coffee. Those who exercised less, consumed more alcoholic beverages. Those who participated in sports-oriented activities such as football, basketball etc. consumed more vegetable juice, and fruit juice, while those who did not consumed more coffee and alcohol. College students who knew about a healthy diet and who exercised consumed appropriate amounts of water, milk, vegetable and fruit juices. Results of this study indicated that nutrition education and exercise information for optimal health need to be disseminated widely to all college students.