An Exploration of College Student Experiences Regarding Healthy Eating at a Midsized Midwestern University: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

This study was an exploration of the experiences college students have while eating in on-campus dining centers at a midsized, Midwest, public university. The present study examined college students' (n = 7) experiences of eating in the dining centers with a campus meal plan. Participants were asked a series of questions regarding their individual beliefs, their surrounding environment, and their physical behaviors while dining.

The study concluded that dining habits are very personal to each and every human being in the world. At the higher education level, because each student brings with them a completely different taste, desire, and value in terms of the food they choose to nourish their body with, administrators, faculty, and health educators must acknowledge how complex it is to provide healthy meal options to college students, and emphasize the need for on-going education and assessment.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Daniel Nadler (Supervisor)