Conference presentation
Body shape satisfaction, and diet and exercise practices of nutrition and dietetics and occupational therapy students: initial cross-sectional results of a longitudinal study
USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2014
Abstract
Body shape concern has been shown to influence dietary and exercise behaviours. However, currently there is little known about diet and exercise practices of students enrolled in degrees focusing on health, and whether there is increased concern over their body shape. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate dietary behaviours, physical activity (PA) levels and body shape attitudes of students enrolled in the discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics (ND) and to compare these to a group of students enrolled in Occupational Therapy (OT). Data was collected in August-October 2013 as part of longitudinal research investigating associations between a range of psychological and physiological food, diet and body shape related measures in this population. A range of demographic and dietary indices was collected via questionnaire specifically designed for this study. The Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies (Cancer Council of Victoria), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Body Shape Questionnaire were used to explore food and nutrient intake, PA level, and body satisfaction respectively. Overall, 147 students (87% females), including 97 from ND and 50 from OT disciplines participated. Students reported a variety of dietary regimens and preferences across both discipline however, 42% of male and 54% of female participants reported energy consumption below the estimated minimal needs. Additionally, the majority of female (65%) and 28% of male participants indicated mild to mark concern with body shape, despite the healthy mean reported Body Mass Indexes of 22.7kg/m2 and 24.9kg/m2 respectively. All males and 89% of females completed the minimum recommended amount of PA (600 MET-minutes per week), with 71% of males and 29% of females accumulating over 3000 MET-minutes per week. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the dietary and exercise habits in relation to body shape satisfaction in students enrolled in these degrees.
Details
- Title
- Body shape satisfaction, and diet and exercise practices of nutrition and dietetics and occupational therapy students: initial cross-sectional results of a longitudinal study
- Authors
- Tetyana Rocks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2014
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 The Author.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448862802621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
- Research Statement
- false
Metrics
253 File views/ downloads
775 Record Views