Healthy and Unhealthy Habits in College:

Lifestyles of SDSU Students

Chris Bielmeier, Shaylenne Martin, Breanna Russell, Lourdes Saldana, and Rachel Tiu

Introduction

Intro

Problem Definition:

Research Question:

Changes in lifestyle
occurring during college can
cause health problems

What are the current

lifestyle habits of SDSU
students and how is that
affecting their health and
well-being?

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Introduction

Intro

Research Objectives:

Action Standard:

- Establish current habits

- Detect relationships
- Determine trends

- Improve student health

- Inform involved parties
- Promote healthy lifestyle

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Secondary Data
Defining unhealthy / BMI
Overweight 25.0-29.9 kg/m2
Obese 30.0 kg/m2
Stressors
Academic pressure
Stress lack of sleep
College Lifestyle Trends
Freshman 15
Lack of time management skills
Changes in Health
Forget about important food groups
Freshmen no more home cooked meals
Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Method
Design ......................................................................... descriptive, survey
Sample selection ............................................... SDSU only, convenience sample
Measures ................................................................ demographics, health status, behaviors, & attitudes
Data Collection .................................................. e-mail, social media, maximize time
Analysis .................................................................... SPSS for patterns/trends

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Findings - Descriptive Statistics I

School and Stress
Average

Standard Deviation

Units taken

14.65

3.173

Hours spent studying

(per week)

13.34

11.759

Frequency of stress

3.73

.892

Severity of stress

3.91

1.016

Hours of sleep

6.75

1.094

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Findings - Descriptive Statistics II

General Health
Average

Standard Deviation

Height

65.28

4.717

Weight

144.27

32.675

BMI

23.644

5.079

3.75

.871

Perception of
Health

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Findings - Descriptive Statistics III

Dietary Habits & Exercise
Average

Standard Deviation

1600-2400

1.546

Frequency of eating on
campus

1.546

1.902

Frequency of eating
home-cooked food

3.71

1.011

Belief in healthy eating

4.24

.706

Days exercise

2.70

2.003

Calorie consumption

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Findings - Difference & Association Tests

Difference tests:

- Freshmen vs. Seniors - Healthy eating is something that matters to me

- College of Business vs. College of Arts - self-esteem level
- Smokers vs. Non-smokers - I believe I am healthy
Association tests:

- # days student eats on campus & weight

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Findings - Regression Analysis

Strong positive correlation agreeance between healthy lifestyle and how

often they eat home-cooked food

- Strong negative correlation agreeance that eating healthy is a priority and

how many calories they consumed in a day

Strong positive correlation between likeliness to go to the Arc and how

many calories one consumes

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Conclusion

- Students aware of importance of healthy living

- Healthy eating is a priority
- Still exhibit behaviors that are not healthy

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Recommendations

- Create awareness (faculty, advisors, students)

- Promote healthy/active lifestyle, relaxation
- Healthier eating options for students

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Limitations

- Unrepresentative sample
- Questionnaire wording
- Biased responses
- Time constraints
Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations

Thank you.
Questions?

Intro

Secondary Data

Method

Findings

Conclusion

Recc.

Limitations