Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114338

Mary Jo Smith, BA¹, Vickie L. Sanchez, PhD², and Derek R. Holcomb, PhD². (1) Health Promotion, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475, 859-622-1684, derek.holcomb@eku.edu, (2) Department of Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, 420 Begley Building, Richmond, KY 40475

To assess variations in risk-taking patterns, a comparison of risk factors was made between male and female college students. During the spring of 2004, 1400 undergraduate students from a large southeastern university were randomly selected and mailed a health-behavior survey. Of the 728 students who returned the survey (response rate: 52%), 69.4% were female and 30.4% were male. The mean age was 23.14 years. Examination of the results indicated that both physical activity items showed significant differences between male and female students (p< .05). Male students reported to have exercised more (3.3 days) during the past seven days than female students (2.2 days). Body mass index scores reported by males (26.57) were significantly higher than females (24.97), yet females were more likely to report being overweight, trying to lose weight, and being in poorer shape than male students. For example, male students considered themselves to be in better shape than females with 73.3% reporting to be in good shape compared to 55.2% of females. Male students were more likely to report skipping breakfasts during the past seven days (4.1 for males vs 3.4 for females), eating fewer homemade breakfasts during the past seven days (1.4 for males vs 1.8 for females), and eating fewer homemade dinners during the past seven days (2.4 for males vs 3.2 for males).

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the relationship between sex/gender and level of involvement with exercise.
• To identify the relationship between sex/gender and body image.
• To identify the relationship between sex/gender and diet.

Keywords: Dietary Assessment, Exercise

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.