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Background: Past studies have shown that optimal nutrition can enhance physical activity, athletic performance, and recovery from exercise. It is important for college athletes to incorporate positive eating behaviors into their daily lives, such as consuming breakfast, eating frequently throughout the day, and not skipping meals in order to maintain energy levels and reach their sports performance potential. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the eating behaviors and dietary supplement use of underclassmen and upperclassmen student athletes at Georgia State University. Methods: Underclassmen (freshmen, sophomores) and upperclassmen (juniors, seniors, fifth-year seniors) athletes (n=255) completed a nutrition screening questionnaire. Chi-square analysis was used to assess group differences in eating behaviors and supplement use. Results: Underclassmen student athletes were significantly more likely than upperclassmen to consume breakfast most days of the week (p=0.008). The underclassmen also reported significantly more eating occasions during the day than upperclassmen (p=0.012). The majority of both groups reported skipping meals, and breakfast was the meal most frequently missed. No significant difference was found for supplement use between the classes, but over half of the underclassmen (53%) and upperclassmen (59%) have taken or currently take protein supplements. Conclusions: The underclassmen athletes at Georgia State University displayed better eating habits than the upperclassmen, but dietary supplement use was the same in both groups. The findings indicate that all student athletes at the university could benefit from learning about ways to improve their eating habits and obtain peak performance through diet, without supplements.

The purpose of the studies presented was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ). The author designed the 21-item self-report inventory to assess cognitions, behaviors, and feelings related to an extreme focus on healthy eating as a preliminary step in researching an alleged syndrome that has been labeled "orthorexia nervosa", defined as a pathological fixation on healthy eating. Study 1 examined the factor structure of the EHQ and refined the instrument with exploratory factor analysis. A 3-factor solution was preferred, with subscales labeled: knowledge of healthy eating, problems associated with healthy eating, and feeling positively about healthy eating. In the Study 1 sample (n = 174) the subscales displayed good internal consistency (.87 to .91) and test-retest reliability (.74 to .87). Study 2 examined the fit of the 3-factor model in a new sample (n = 213) with confirmatory factor analysis. Poor initial fit became adequate after eliminating poorly fitting items. Internal consistency (.82 to .90) and test-retest reliability (.72 to .81) of the subscales remained good in the Study 2 sample. Examination of correlations between the EHQ subscales and a variety of other measures provided preliminary evidence for both convergent and discriminant validity in the Study 2 sample. As expected, the EHQ subscales correlated more highly with measures of eating related pathology than with measures of general pathology, personality characteristics, or social desirability.

The purpose of the studies presented was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ). The author designed the 21-item self-report inventory to assess cognitions, behaviors, and feelings related to an extreme focus on healthy eating as a preliminary step in researching an alleged syndrome that has been labeled "orthorexia nervosa", defined as a pathological fixation on healthy eating. Study 1 examined the factor structure of the EHQ and refined the instrument with exploratory factor analysis. A 3-factor solution was preferred, with subscales labeled: knowledge of healthy eating, problems associated with healthy eating, and feeling positively about healthy eating. In the Study 1 sample (n = 174) the subscales displayed good internal consistency (.87 to .91) and test-retest reliability (.74 to .87). Study 2 examined the fit of the 3-factor model in a new sample (n = 213) with confirmatory factor analysis. Poor initial fit became adequate after eliminating poorly fitting items. Internal consistency (.82 to .90) and test-retest reliability (.72 to .81) of the subscales remained good in the Study 2 sample. Examination of correlations between the EHQ subscales and a variety of other measures provided preliminary evidence for both convergent and discriminant validity in the Study 2 sample. As expected, the EHQ subscales correlated more highly with measures of eating related pathology than with measures of general pathology, personality characteristics, or social desirability.

The primary aim of the study was to examine the predictive relationships among personal factors (age, gender, education, income, BMI, and acculturation), barriers to healthy eating, healthy eating self-efficacy, environmental factors, and healthy eating habits among Korean Americans (KAs). The conceptual framework was adopted from Pender’s Health Promotion Model. Bivariate correlations among the study variables and hierarchical multiple regression tests were performed to determine the predictive relationships among the variables. Mediating and moderating effects were explored, as were generational differences in barriers, self-efficacy, and healthy eating habits. The study was designed as a retrospective, cross-sectional, correlational study. A nonprobability sample of 137 KAs was recruited from KA communities by the surveys in Texas, California, Georgia, Maryland, and other states. Although none of the personal factors were significantly related to healthy eating habits, some of the strength and direction of the relationships between personal factors and healthy eating habits were changed when behavior-specific cognitions and environmental factors moderated those relationships . The main finding of the study was that self-efficacy was the strongest predictor for healthy eating habits. Additional data obtained from this study was the discrepancy between confidence in reducing sodium intake and the actual sodium intake. Considering that high sodium intake is a problematic concern for Koreans and KAs, as well as for the general American population, further research is needed to identify the factors related to this concern and to improve this health issue. Also, further studies related to eating habits among KAs with a wide range of generational levels and geographic areas are necessary to gain a deeper understanding of their health and to promote healthy eating habits. / text

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Young adults 18-25 years of age in the United States are experiencing a new world as they transition to young adulthood in college. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the eating behaviors of the young college population. The present study will examine the kinds of foods college students eat and how they make decisions regarding food consumption. The methodology of the present study consists of a quantitative survey, which includes questions about gender, living arrangements, convenience, and student eating habits. The sample size is comprised of 228 students at the University of Central Florida. A regression model is used to explore the influence of the independent variables, which include gender; living arrangement; convenience; and health have on eating habits. Findings indicated that convenience significantly influence eating habits (p [less than] .001). Gender, living arrangements, and health, however, did not significantly influence the eating habits of the college student respondents. A second regression model examined the potential effects of gender, living arrangements, convenience, and health- weight gain on eating habits. Again, convenience was the only significant independent variable that has an influence on eating habits (p[less than].001) while gender, living arrangements, and healthweight gain were not significant predictors.

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The aim of this research is to develop an understanding of why people become vegetarian and why the diet is currently enjoying a steady increase in popularity in contemporary Britain, through addressing the 'hidden agenda' of vegetarianism. Vegetarianism offers an example of food choice which highlights the non-nutritional aspects of food and eating, and represents far more than a pragmatic aversion to eating meat. The research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative studies. Two data sets were collected from 137 vegetarians in Greater London; qualitative information about the values and attitudes of vegetarians regarding diet, health and related issues, and quantitative information regarding the dietary intake of different categories of vegetarian. The findings of both studies are presented, but the thesis focuses on the qualitative data which was analysed using a symbolic approach to the study of food and eating as developed within anthropology. It was found that the decision to become vegetarian, and attitudes regarding food and health, formed a complex package of ideas which ranged from concrete issues, such as concern about the quality of the food supply, to ethical and abstract concerns, such as the character of the relationships between human society, nature and the animal world. There were differences between types of vegetarian in both diet and attitudes; as the diet became more extreme (excluding more animal foods) so attitudes became progressively more heterodox. It is concluded that vegetarianism does not deserve the label of 'fad' or 'cult' diet, but that it articulates a complex and potentially subversive ideology and demonstrates the need to incorporate social and cultural factors into analyses of food choice.

Abstract   Emma Bergdahl Obstacles and opportunities among occupational health nurses when implementing healthy eating habits. C thesis in Public Health. Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies. University of Gävle. Autumn 2012   Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate which obstacles and opportunities nurses within occupational health find when trying to implement healthy eating habits among the employees in their respective company. Another objective was to see if the nurses worked according to the Guidelines, issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare. Method: The study was a quantitative study and conducted among nurses in central Sweden. A web survey was distributed to nurses who chose to participate. The response rate was 66 percent. The results were compiled in Excel since the characters and results are displayed in the form of figures, text and quotes. Results: The results showed that the most common obstacles found by nurses when trying to implement healthy eating habits among workers, were lack of motivation, lack of time and finances of companies. The opportunities were motivation, cooperation with other actors and adequate knowledge in the field. Healthy eating habits received low priority among the nurses. Conclusion: Motivation will always be necessary in order to change lifestyle or habits. Therefore, a high priority must be to work more with how to motivate those individuals who may not be so inclined to make a change.