Physical activity, food choice, and weight management goals and practices among US college students

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity and a healthy diet have been recommended to help reverse the increasing prevalence of overweight among adolescents and adults in the United States. METHODS: Data is from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. A representative sample of US undergraduate college students (n = 4609) were analyzed to examine associations of physical activity and food choice with weight management goals and practices. RESULTS: Based on self-reported height and weight, 35% of students were overweight or obese (body mass index > or = 25.0). Nearly half (46%) of all students reported they were trying to lose weight. Female students were less likely than male students to be overweight, but more likely to be trying to lose weight. Among female and male students, using logistic regression to control for demographics, trying to lose weight was associated with participation in vigorous physical activity and strengthening exercises, and consumption of < or = 2 servings/ day of high-fat foods. Female and male students who reported using exercise to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight were more likely than those who did not to participate in vigorous, strengthening, and moderate physical activity, and were more likely to eat > or = 5 servings/day of fruits and vegetables and < or = 2 servings/day of high-fat foods. Among students who were trying to lose weight, only 54% of females and 41% of males used both exercise and diet for weight control. CONCLUSION: Colleges should implement programs to increase student awareness of healthy weight management methods and the importance of physical activity combined with a healthy diet.