Comparison of eating patterns between dietetic and other college students

Abstract

Because applicants being interviewed for admission to a coordinated undergraduate program in dietetics frequently reported concerns about their eating patterns, we designed a study to determine whether female college students with a major in dietetics have eating patterns that differ from those of female students in other majors. The sample of 119 junior and senior female students at a midwestern university were majoring in dietetics, home economics education, or the social science/humanities. Students recorded the frequency of their eating behaviors on an eating pattern questionnaire. Dietetic majors reported significantly more positive eating habits than did the social science/humanities majors. However, dietetic majors also reported a greater frequency of vomiting after overeating than did home economics education majors. Twenty percent of the dietetic majors indicated some degree of vomiting after they stuffed themselves. This was in contrast to the combined total of approximately four percent for the other two majors. Implications are offered for educators in dietetic programs.