The Effects of a 16-Week Introductory Nutrition Course on the Dietary Habits and Body Composition of College Students

Abstract

Most college students experience weight gain related to poor dietary and lifestyle choices. This study aimed to address how nutrition knowledge impacts body composition and dietary habits of college students. Undergraduate students at a large public university were recruited to participate in this prospective study. The treatment group included students enrolled in a 16-week introductory nutrition course; control participants were not enrolled in such a course. Body composition was assessed using a BodPod and lifestyle factors were evaluated with a 65-question survey pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at four-months follow-up. Fifty-eight students (77.5% female, 22.5% male) ages 20.00 years participated in the study. Over the semester, percent body fat increased non-significantly in males from 15.86.6% to 16.57.2%, and decreased significantly (p=0.04) in females from 29.57.1% to 28.57.6%. There were no significant differences in changes to body composition for males in the control and experimental groups. However, females in the experimental group experienced a significant (p=0.05) decrease in body fat (28.96.8% to 27.77.6%) while control participants had no change. In this sample of students, only 19% reported consuming vegetables daily, 53% spent between $50-100 at the grocery store weekly, 53% chose whole grain options and 46% exercised 3-4 times per week. Based on improvements in body composition for females engaged in an introductory nutrition course, it is plausible to suggest that nutrition education has a positive impact on diet and exercise in college students, particularly females.