 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Dennis J. Bayomi, BSc1, Jennifer Callum, BSc2, Elaine M. Hernandez, BA3, Leslie King, BS3, Heather Lummis, BSc Pharm4, November H. McGarvey, BS5, Judith M. Mercado, BS5, Shefali S. Ram, BSc6, Michelle C. Turner, BSc7, and Robert B Tate, PhD1. (1) Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, T148 - 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada, 204-789-3667, Dennis_Bayomi@umanitoba.ca, (2) Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, 4075 RTF, 8308-114 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada, (3) School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 729, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, (4) Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Centre for Clinical Research, Room 420, 5790 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3H 1V7, Canada, (5) School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, Community Health Sciences, Box 951772, 36-071 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (6) Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Abramsky Hall, Arch Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada, (7) Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
Much research has been conducted on the importance of lifestyle on health and well-being and on the challenges of encouraging the adoption of health-promoting lifestyles. Little research has been conducted however on the attitudes, levels of awareness and personal practices relating to diet, nutrition and physical activity of graduate students in community health/public health programs. Considering the future roles these students will play as public health professionals, researchers and policymakers, one should anticipate high levels of knowledge and very “health-conscious” lifestyles among this group. A better understanding of the health behaviors and barriers these individuals face could help provide additional insight into the challenges of health promotion programs targeted at the general population. To this end, a brief questionnaire was developed for students in graduate programs in community health/public health at several North American universities. Diet and nutrition questions asked about students’ typical intake of fruit, vegetables, protein sources, dairy/non-dairy alternative beverages, salty snacks, sweets and soft drinks and examined students’ perceptions of the relationship of diet to significant health conditions (obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes). Questions were also asked testing students’ basic knowledge of diet and nutrition. Physical activity questions were similar in format to the diet questions. Students were also asked about other factors including smoking, stress and rest, alcohol consumption, genetics and socioeconomic influences. A comparison group consisting of graduate students in basic medical sciences programs was also included in the study. Results of the study and recommendations will be presented at this session.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Students, Health Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.