Influencing Food and Beverage Choices in College Communities

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Influencing Food and Beverage Choices in College Communities

The “Freshman Fifteen” is a phrase we have all heard, and that most college students fear. College is a time where students are often making dietary and lifestyle choices on their own for the first time. Many cafeterias and college eateries serve students buffet style. This allows student to pick their favorite meals, and to fill up to maximum capacity before heading back to the dorms. Many buffet style cafeterias feature multiple entrees, soup options, salad/fruit bars, side dishes, desserts, and multiple beverages. A typical collegiate diet does not have adequate fruit or vegetable intake. Likewise, it is usually high in calories, added sugar, fat and sodium. For these reasons, researchers at the University of Toronto and Memorial University of Newfoundland began a cross-sectional study that examines the effect of encouraging healthful dietary patterns in students. They placed emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and water intake.


The study began by encouraging students to choose water as their beverage and by using physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labeling, which illustrates the minutes of jogging required to burn the calories in the different beverages options. This is a unique labeling method that is not typically seen. The second part of the study, focused on posters that were hung in strategically selected locations to promote fruit and vegetable consumption.

Data showed that, after the interventions, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was reduced, and fruit and vegetable intake was increased. There was a significant increase (nearly 11%) in the amount of student’s drinking water before vs after the intervention. Trips to the fruit bar increased by 6%, and trips to the salad bar increased by 12%."

These results prove that nutrition education and focusing on increasing student awareness can help promote healthier lifestyle choices. I think this could be an area where more student run dietetic associations can become involved. By doing events and basic info sharing, students in dietetic associations can help influence the intake of their community.


TR

Source: Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
Today's Dietitian

Comments

  1. ksu internsSeptember 24, 2017 at 2:12 PM

    TR-
    I am really glad you chose an article on this topic. As we all know, the food and beverage choices adolescents and young adults make is crucial regarding their health, especially long-term. I love the idea of using the PACE labeling method, where the minutes of jogging required to burn the calories in the beverage are listed. I think this type of labeling is eye-catching and sheds light on just how many calories can be in sweetened beverages. The fact that more students were drinking water and visiting the fruit or salad bar is an awesome finding. I really think other campuses would benefit from utilizing this form of education. I also agree with your statement that this would be a great area for dietetic students/organizations to become involved. I could see our Center of Nutrition Outreach implementing a program that focuses on the PACE labeling.

    KS

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