Residence of college students affects dietary intake, physical activity, and serum lipid levels

Dietary intake, physical activity, and serum lipid levels of college students living on and off campus were compared.

Subjects completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyle factors and a 3-day food record. Lipid levels were determined.

College students enrolled in an introductory nutrition class.

Energy and nutrient intakes and serum lipid levels.

Analysis of variance and Student's t tests were used to determine differences in energy and nutrient intakes and serum lipid levels between men and women living on and off campus; chi 2 analysis was used to determine whether there were associations between residence and lifestyle factors; stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to investigate relationships among serum lipid levels, nutrient intakes, and exercise levels.

Of the 104 participants, 81% were women and 19% were men; 51% lived on campus. In women, there was a statistically significant difference in age based on residence. Reported percentage of energy from protein was significantly higher in subjects living off campus. Serum triglyceride level and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein were also significantly higher in students living off campus.

Residence may affect serum lipid levels; living arrangements influence lifestyle factors such as food choices, nutrient content of the diet, and activity patterns. University foodservice directors are challenged to offer low-fat foods that students will choose to eat. Nutrition education is important for all students because their lifestyle may predispose them to development of chronic disease.