Physical activity and household food insecurity as important predictors of health status in EIU students

Abstract

Household food insecurity (HFI), defined as limited access to nutritionally adequate
foods, is associated with poor diet, which can increase the risk of obesity and health related
problems (Kaiser, 2005; Brewer et al., 2010). It is one of the conditions that may adversely affect
the normal development of children and adults. The highest level of food insecurity is defined as
"hunger". The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the general level ofHFI in Eastern Illinois
University (EIU) students, (b) examine the association between Physical Activity (PA) and Body
Mass Index (BMI) in EIU students, (c) examine the association between HFI and BMI in EIU
students, and ( d) examine the association between HFI and PA in EIU students. A total of 751
college students, 18-48 years of age, completed a survey consisting of demographic variables, the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IP AQ) and the 6-item Household Food Security
Module. It was found that 40.7% of the students sampled were classified as food insecure,
including 17 .5% with hunger. The Chi-square test of independence did not detect any significant
associations between (a) PA and students' BMI, (b) HFI and students' BMI, and (c) HFI and PA.
However, self-reported physical and mental health were found to be significantly poorer in
students with HFI. Demographic analysis revealed that the incidence ofHFI was significantly
greater in black and Asian students than in white students. HFI was also significantly greater in
full-time students than in part-time, was significantly lower in freshmen than in other classes, and
was significantly higher in students residing in apartments than in dorms or with parents. The
percentage of this sample who reported sufficient physical activity was higher than the national
average. However, over 16% reported no physical activity at all. A majority of students were
classified as normal weight, but almost 45% were in the overweight or obese categories. The
prevalence of food insecurity among this sample of college students was approximately 2. 8 times
the U.S. national average. Thus, the college student population represents a crucial target for
implementing dietary and physical activity interventions to help this population live a healthier
lifestyle.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Phyllis Croisant (Supervisor)