Diet, activity, and other health-related behaviors in college-age women.

Morbidity and mortality data for young women in the United States reflect several health risk behaviors for both acute and chronic disease development. Available data suggest that young women's diets are high in total and saturated fat and low in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. As a result, diets of young women are frequently low in iron, folate, and calcium. Prevalence of overweight continues to increase significantly in this population, but inappropriate body image concerns and disordered eating patterns are also common. Inactivity, smoking, and weight cycling are patterns that appear to begin early in women's lives. Some data suggest that young women value nutrition quality and are more likely to attempt positive changes than are young men.