Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100846

Troy Adams, PhD, Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University, 7350 E Unity Drive, Mesa, AZ 85212, 480 727 1958, troy.adams@asu.edu

Few college students meet fruit and vegetable intake recommendations and most receive no information from their institution about this issue. The avoidable disease burden among students is large, the necessary information infrastructure exists, and Healthy People 2010 objectives indicate efforts should be taken to increase intake. The purpose was to examine the association of high-risk behaviors and fruit and vegetable intake to inform design of multiple risk factor interventions. Data were from a sample of 40,209, 18-25 year old college students who completed the ACHA National College Health Assessment during the Spring 2002 and 2003 semesters. Predictors of high fruit and vegetable intake for men and women in eight models were better: Seatbelt and Helmet use, Physical Activity, Perceived Health, Sleep, Self-Care behaviors, and GPA. Other predictors of high intake among both genders were reduced likelihood of Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Use, Drinking and Driving, Feeling Hopeless and a greater likelihood of Anorexia. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will understand the origin and content of the ACHA survey.
• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will be able to articulate why an understanding of the association between fruit and vegetable intake and other risk factors is so important.
• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will be able to identify which risk factors are associated with low levels of fruit and vegetable intake.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation