Effect Of Gender And Lifestyle Behaviors On BMI Trends In A Sample Of The First State’s Undergraduate Population

Abstract

The 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicates that 63.4% of Delaware’s adult population is overweight and 28% is obese. Here, the authors reveal analyses acquired from detailed investigations about the importance of gender, and other lifestyle factors and behaviors on the Body Mass Index (BMI) trends amongst an indiscriminate sample of the Wesley College (Wesley) undergraduate population. A 25-question paper-format survey was distributed to 307 randomly chosen Wesley undergraduates. The accrued qualitative (or categorical) data were transferred to an Excel spreadsheet to construct and observe frequency distributions. A Chi-square test of independence (χ2) was performed between BMI status (normal, overweight, obese) and the following factors: gender, diet plan, adherence to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate nutrition guide, use of the seasonal flu shot, weekly workout schedule, supplement usage, participation on athletic teams, questioning of label nutritional facts, and the use of added salt in food. A 2-sample proportion test was performed between students who were overweight or obese for the same factors. Also performed were t-tests for mean BMI for those who followed USDA MyPlate guidelines and for those who did not. An analysis of 278 completed surveys show that 29.5% of the Wesley respondents are overweight and 19.8% are obese. The mean BMI for males was statistically higher than the mean BMI for females. The mean BMI for students living on-campus was statistically higher than the mean BMI for students living off-campus. The results also demonstrate that adhering to the USDA dietary recommendations for fruit and dairy can be important factors in reducing the risk of obesity.

Integrative Biological Chemistry Program Includes The Use Of Informatics Tools, GIS And SAS Software Applications

“…The 2004–2010 Delaware trends shown in Figures 9 and 10 are consistent with previously published studies on the lifestyle choices and underlying risk factors for many chronic conditions which contribute to poor health, reduced quality of life, and higher health care costs for the two southern Delaware counties, Kent and Sussex counties (D’Souza and Walls et al, 2015; Gupta, 2014; Chang et al, 2014; Xu et al, 2013). …”

“…A recent Wesley College obesity study (D’Souza and Walls et al, 2015) determined that 29.5% of the Wesley undergraduates are overweight and 19.8% are obese. At the undergraduate level, research on both the causes and prevention of obesity are valuable and can be a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaborations.…”

Integrative Approach for a Transformative Freshman-Level STEM Curriculum

“…These programs are designed around the best practice of multi-tiered mentoring and are committed to evidence-based approaches that support and retain students. Wesley’s DE-EPSCoR and DE-INBRE programs play an important role in addressing gaps in the regional and national approach to strengthening the STEM workforce pipeline by providing undergraduates with increased opportunities to delve into practical interdisciplinary research projects in a nationally recognized directed research program, in Scholars Day projects, and during senior capstone research projects (D’Souza, 2012; D’Souza, Barile, & Givens, 2015; D’Souza, Curran, Olsen, Nwogbaga, & Stotts, 2015; D’Souza, Curran, & Stotts, 2014; D’Souza, Dwyer, Allison, Miller, & Drohan, 2011; D’Souza, Kashmar, et al, 2015; D’Souza, Kroen, Stephens, & Kashmar, 2015; D’Souza, Walls, Rojas, Everett, & Wentzien, 2015; D’Souza & Wang, 2012; Edwards, 2015; Nerd Scholar, 2013). Wesley undergraduate research projects have also raised a number of key issues of concern that affect public health and economic development within Delaware (D’Souza, Barile, & Givens, 2015; D’Souza, Kashmar, et al, 2015; D’Souza, Walls, Rojas, Everett, & Wentzien, 2015).…”

“…For example, one project dealt with the mathematical analysis of nutrition labels for the sugar content in breakfast cereals. This project served as a follow-up study to a prior Wesley body mass index (BMI) article (D’Souza, Walls, Rojas, Everett, & Wentzien, 2015). Other class projects have analyzed consumer loan qualification factors based on payment schedules for student loans and mortgages.…”

“…Activities such as first- and second-year seminars, common intellectual experiences, learning communities, undergraduate research, early alert systems, and peer and faculty mentoring have significant impacts on student success, particularly for those from underrepresented groups (Burkum, Habley, McClanahan, & Valigga, 2010; Chang, Sharkness, Hurtado, & Newman, 2014; D’Souza, 2012; D’Souza, Barile, & Givens, 2015; D’Souza, Curran, Olsen, Nwogbaga, & Stotts, 2015; D’Souza, Curran, & Stotts, 2014; D’Souza, Dwyer, Allison, Miller, & Drohan, 2011; D’Souza, Kashmar, et al, 2015; D’Souza, Kroen, Stephens, & Kashmar, 2015; D’Souza, Walls, Rojas, Everett, & Wentzien, 2015; D’Souza & Wang, 2012; Edwards, 2015; Gale, 2013; Habley & McClanahan, 2010; Kuh, 2008; Nerd Scholar, 2013). Also, coordinated, comprehensive intervention programs have been found to be very effective (Hernandez, Schultz, Estrada, Woodcock, & Chance, 2013; Nerd Scholar, 2013; Tinto, 2012).…”