Marjorie R Freedman1, Rebecca J Rubinstein. 1. Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 95192-0058, USA. marjorie.freedman@sjsu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: in order to address increasing health care costs associated with obesity, this study sought to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine eating behaviors, food choices, health beliefs, and attitudes of university employees. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: an online survey was distributed to > 3,800 faculty and staff at a large public metropolitan university in Winter 2008. RESULTS: almost half (48%) of 806 respondents were classified as overweight or obese. Compared to those with normal weights, overweight and obese respondents consumed fewer fruits and vegetables (p < .05), were less confident in making healthful food choices (p < .001), and were more influenced by food choices available in on-campus dining facilities (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: obesity among university employees warrants attention. Because these employees have less self-efficacy and consume less healthful diets than their normal weight colleagues, universities need to improve on-campus access to healthful foods.
OBJECTIVE: in order to address increasing health care costs associated with obesity, this study sought to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine eating behaviors, food choices, health beliefs, and attitudes of university employees. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: an online survey was distributed to > 3,800 faculty and staff at a large public metropolitan university in Winter 2008. RESULTS: almost half (48%) of 806 respondents were classified as overweight or obese. Compared to those with normal weights, overweight and obese respondents consumed fewer fruits and vegetables (p < .05), were less confident in making healthful food choices (p < .001), and were more influenced by food choices available in on-campus dining facilities (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS:obesity among university employees warrants attention. Because these employees have less self-efficacy and consume less healthful diets than their normal weight colleagues, universities need to improve on-campus access to healthful foods.
Authors: Rui Poínhos; Ivo A van der Lans; Audrey Rankin; Arnout R H Fischer; Brendan Bunting; Sharron Kuznesof; Barbara Stewart-Knox; Lynn J Frewer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-10-21 Impact factor: 3.240