PowerPoint Presentation on Undergraduate Research Project

1. 4/26/2010
Lusi Marcia Martin
Assessment of eating habits
California State University, attitudes and knowledge of
Sacramento African American females in
relation to Coronary Heart
Department of Family and Disease.
Consumer Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Hyson.
FACT: Purpose of Research
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is To assess the eating habits and
the number one killer of African attitudes of African American
women ages 18-24 who were
American women in the U.S attending Sac State to find out:
(American Heart Association,
2005). 1. If the completion of a nutrition
course positively influences the
attitude towards eating habits and
food choices?
2.Does the knowledge of family history of health Literature Review
conditions related to CHD affect eating habits and
food choices? Huang et al., (2003)- Need for
intervention in college population.
3.Is there a common barrier that keeps these students Matvienko et al., (2001)- Nutrition
from eating healthy?
course helpful in preventing weight
4.Are current eating habits and food choices shown
gain.
to be associated with increased risk for CHD? Debate et al., (2001)- Racial and
gender differences in weight status
5. How much knowledge does this group have on and dietary practices among college
coronary heart disease and risk factors? students.
1

2. 4/26/2010
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Methodology
Disease (CHD). DATA COLLECTION
Survey instrument: Total of 26 questions.
High Cholesterol
• Questions 1-6: Demographics
Hypertension • Questions 7-8: Completion of Nutrition Course
• Questions 9-13: Knowledge of Family History
Smoking Conditions
• Questions 14-23: Current Eating Habits.
Obesity • Question 24: Common Barriers
• Question 25-26: Knowledge on CHD and their
Diabetes risk for CHD.
Methodology cont’ Findings...
Nutriton Course
PARTICIPANTS 16
14
• 20 African American females who were
# of students 12
10
Nutrition
course
8
6
No nutrition
course
attending Sacramento State University 4
2
0
1
• Ages 18-24 Nutrition courses taken
1. Did those who took a nutrition course
• No incentives report positive changes to eating
• Release form habits?
• 15-20 minutes to complete surveys and • 30% had took a nutrition course. Only
10% said it changed eating habits.
distributed over a period of 1 week.
• 70% did not take a nutrition course.
2. Did the knowledge of family history 3. Were current eating habits
of health conditions affect eating shown to be associated with
habits and food choices? increased risk for CHD?
70% said that family members history High number of students (41%)
conditions did not affect eating habits reported to never cook breakfast
and food choices. lunch or dinner at home.
30% said that family members history 75% reported to most likely eat out
conditions did affect eating habits and
at a fast food restaurant.
food choices, and lifestyles.
2

3. 4/26/2010
4. Were there any common barriers
reported that kept students from eating
The most frequent consumption healthy?
of fruits was 2x per week (40%)
• 55% were dissatisfied with eating habits
The most frequent consumption and stated that finding time (school &
of vegetables was:1x per week work) and money kept them from eating
(25%), 2x per week (10%), 3x per healthy.
week (15%)
5. Did this group have knowledge on Limitations
CHD and its risk factors?
35% reported that they did not know any Time Constraints
risk factors for CHD. Only one Ethnic Group
65% reported at least 2 or more risk Only women
factors for CHD.
Sample Size
Risk Factors Reported
7
High Blood Pressure
6 (HBP)
Self-reported data
High Cholesterol
5
# of people
Obesity
4
3
Smoking
2 Family History
1 Exercise
0
1
Risk Factors
Special Thanks to:
Conclusion
Dr. Sue Heredia
The findings in this study concur
Dr. Suzanne Gerbasi
with past studies that the college
population in particular African Faculty Mentor- Dr. Dianne Hyson.
Americans continue to need attention 2006-2007 McNair cohort
in health promotion. Family
3