Neither  Earned  BA/BS  Degree    

One  Earned  BS/BA  Degree  

Both  Earned  BA/BS  Degree  

N  (%)   60(17)   55(16)   241(67)  

BMI  (kg/m2)   23.0±0.5   23.1±0.5   23.2±0.2  

Total  Calories  (kcal/day)   2055±69   1868±73   1928.1±35  

Total  Sugar  Intake  (g/day)   113.1±5.3   97.0±5.5   112.7±2.6  

Saturated  Fat  (g/day)   23.2±1.2   22.0±1.2   21.0±0.6  

Subject  CharacterisMcs    

ParMcipants  

Nutrient  Analysis  

Data  Management  and  StaMsMcal  Analysis      

Findings indicate that college students whose parents have both earned a college degree consume less discretionary calories and sodium as compared to students’ whose parents have not earned a college degree.

  Fruit and vegetable intake was low and did not differ by parents’ education level.

 BMI did not differ between the three groups.  Other nutrients were analyzed, however there were no

significant differences between the three groups.

Research has shown that parents’ education level and socioeconomic status are positively correlated1, however it is unknown if parents’ education level influences the diet quality of college students. Rates of obesity are higher among individuals with fewer years of education and those earning lower incomes2. The rate of obesity among college students whose parents have only earned a high school degree is significantly higher than college students whose parents have earned a college degree.3 Further research suggests college students whose parents have only earned a high school diploma are consuming more calories compared to college students whose parents have earned a college degree.4 There is limited research on diet quality among college students.

The purpose of this study is to determine if parents’ education level predicts diet quality among college students.

The College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS) is an ongoing cross-sectional nutrition project at the University of New Hampshire (UNH IRB #5524). The purpose of the CHANAS project is to examine the anthropometric, dietary, biochemical, and clinical measurements of college students.

College students, 18-24 years old (n=353), were recruited from an introductory nutrition class at the University of New Hampshire during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Students’ self-reported food records were analyzed for average daily intake of sodium, discretionary calories, fruits, and vegetables. Participants were instructed to record all food and beverages for three, non-consecutive days, including one weekend day. These participants were then instructed to input all food and beverage items into an online dietary analysis software (Diet Analysis 10+).

Participants were classified based on their parents’ education level and divided into three groups: neither parent has earned a college degree, one parent has earned a college degree, and both parents have earned a college degree. Differences between the three groups were analyzed via ANCOVA (SPSS V.21); p<0.05. Covariates included gender and BMI.

CHANAS  

The  Effect  of  Parents’  EducaMon  Level  on  Diet  Quality    Mackenzie Gavin and Jesse Stabile Morrell, Nutrition Program Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences University of New Hampshire, Durham NH

Results  

1.Small M, et al. Changes in eating and physical activity across college. Health Education & Behavior. 2012;10: 20-32 2.Sparling P. Obesity on campus. Public Health Research. 2007;4: 50-56. 3. Aggarwal A. Does diet cost mediate the relation between socioeconomic position and diet quality? European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011;65:1059-1066. 4. Gary T, et al. The college health and wellness study. Journal of Urban Health. 2006;83:253-264.

Parents’  Educa9on  Level  vs.  Vegetable  and  Fruit  Intake  

Parents’  Educa9on  Level  vs.  Sodium  Intake  Parents’  Educa9on  Level  vs.  Discre9onary  Calories  

   Further research should be conducted to profile the diets of older adolescents before entering college.  College administrators should consider predisposing factors, including socioeconomic status, that influence student health and behaviors.   College students of all ages would benefit from further education on the recommendations for fruits and vegetables.

Par9cipants    

IntroducMon  

Purpose  

Methods  

Key  Findings  

ImplicaMons  

References  

Acknowledgements  Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences Photo by: Mike Ross, Photographic Services

Bars  with  different  le]ers  are  significantly  different,  p  <0.05   Bars  with  different  le]ers  are  significantly  different,  p<0.05  

A  

B  

B  

A  

No  significant  difference  between  the  groups