Use of food label, dietary intake

patterns and weight status among

UMD students who primarily eat
out
Megan Herceg, Young No, Tiffany Wang
NFSC380, Section 0102

Introduction
Obesity rate of adults in the US is 34.9% (CDC)
Obesity increases risk of chronic disease and diabetes
(Cha)
Food labels available to guide people look at their
nutritional content of their food
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990
Changes to food label by the FDA

Notable Changes:

+ added sugars
this can decrease
intake of nutrient-rich
foods, while increasing
calorie intake
+ potassium and vitamin D
new nutrients of public
health significance
- calories from fat
types of fat more
important
updated serving size
requirements
new design

Why?
Relationship between
obesity and health
literacy
College students are
vulnerable to
obesogenic lifestyles
College Park, MD is
classified as a food
desert

Objective
To study the potential relationship between
eating out behavior, weight status, and food
label usage among students at UMD

Research Justification
1.

2.

3.

Is the question scientifically well-posed, i.e. is it stated in a hypothetical form that leads to a
research design and analysis with scientific credibility?
a. Yes, Use of food label, dietary intake patterns and weight status among UMD students
who primarily eat out is a feasible question to research. Test to see the correlation of food
patterns with weight status. Can easily measure food intake as well as weight of subjects.
Does the research question require data that is accessible or attainable at a reasonable cost or
effort?
a. Yes it does, getting data is easy by just speaking to UMD students. Cost is not a problem
but in order to create a large study it would take much effort.
Is the research question posed in a way that can explain variability, different outcomes under
different conditions?
a. No the research question does not account for variability but we had a good idea that these
results varied with conditions such as eating out or cooking own meals, etc.

Research Justification
4.

Are the units of analysis (observation) clearly identified?

a.

5.

Is the question posed in a way that more than one result is possible, i.e. the
working hypotheses can be refuted?
b.

6.

Yes, many different ways to analyze data. Measure food intake, age, weight, MEDFICTS.

Yes the question is the correlation, therefore could be a negative or positive correlation.

Does the research extend our understanding of the phenomena being

investigated; does it elaborate, extend, or fill in gaps in our present
knowledge?
c.

The research elaborates on our current knowledge to see exactly the correlation between
use of food labels and weight status for UMD students is.

Hypothesis
There will be an inverse relationship
between food label usage and BMI
The less food label usage, the higher the BMI of that
individual

There will be a positive relationship between

proportion of meals eaten out and BMI
The more amount of meals eaten out, the higher the
BMI of that individual

Participants
Inclusion Criteria
18 years +
UMD Student
Eats out at least of meal opportunities
Interested in Participation

Participant Characteristics
n=30
63.33% Female
Average Age = 20

18-24

53.3% Asian, 30% Caucasian, 16.67% All Other Races

Hispanic, African American, Other

36.67% Christian, 26.67% No Religion, 20% Did Not

Respond
Other affiliations including Islam, Hindu, Judaism
66.66% of Respondents live on salaries $90,000+

Methods
1. Check that they meet requirements with screener.
2. Measure height and weight.
3. Administer 24 hour recall.
a. Similar protocol to AMPM 24 Hour Recall
4. Administer MEDFICTS.
5. Administer nutrition label quiz and food label
usage survey.
6. Self-administer demographics information.

AMPM

MEDFICTS
Key:
70 Need to make some dietary
changes
40-70 Heart-Healthy Diet
<40 TLC Diet

Methods
Collected Data Together in Library
Measured Twice
Used 1 Kg Weight to Standardize Scale
Standardized Between Clients

Created Stadiometer
Used Level and Measuring Tape

Methods
Only analyzed results with n=5+
Statistical Analysis
One Way ANOVA
Two Tailed T-Test

Results
No Statistically Significant Results for BMI vs:

Gender
Race
Religion
Income
Food Label Knowledge
Food Label Usage
Number of Meals Out
Macronutrient Content of 24 Hour Recalls
Energy Content of 24 Hour Recalls

Results
MEDFICTS and BMI

Results
Macronutrient Content of Diet

Discussion
No good information about the hypothesis.
Participants had high saturated fat intake
according to their 24 hour recalls.
MEDFICTS may predict a higher BMI for
people with excess fat in their diets.
Overweight only
NOT a causative relationship

Limitations
Sample Size
Barely adequate for statistical analysis

Sample Selection
Convenience

Only One 24 Hour Recall

Study Design
Correlation only

References
1)

2)
3)
4)

5)
6)

7)

8)

The Campus Recreation Department of Fitness & Wellness Program. (n.d.). MEDFICTS Dietary Assessment
Questionnaire. Retrieved from http://www.sfasu.
edu/campusrec/documents/MEDFICTS_Dietary_Assessment_Questionnaire.pdf
Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.). USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method (AMPM).
Food Access Research Atlas. (2014, May 28). Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://www.ers.usda.
gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx
Janeway, J. (n.d.). Preventing the Freshman 5, 10, 15, 40. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.
obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/preventing-the-freshman-5-1015-40
Justification for Research. (2006, January 1). Retrieved December 3, 2014, from http://ori.hhs.
gov/education/products/niu_authorship/mistakes/04mistake-a.htm
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//www.fda.
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