SNACKING SUU STUDENTS 1

Snacking Choices of SUU Students

Kortnee Talbot

Josie Brandow

Shalece Guerrero

Beth Anderson

Southern Utah University

Abstract

Snacking Choices of SUU Students

If college students had a choice between a healthy snack and an unhealthy snack, which one would they pick? It’s universally accepted that college students aren’t the healthiest of eaters. According to a study done by the University of Glasgow comparing snacking habits of two completely different countries; “...Irregular meal patterns have been associated with obesity and overeating is often linked with skipping breakfast...” Most college students will skip breakfast and delaymeals until late in the evening,at which point they frequently over-eat.

In an article published by the University of Lethbridge they state, “…an important time of life for food choice is when people step out independently for the first time and begin to make all of their own food choices…this could have a negative impact on students eating behaviors..” College studentsepitomize this since they tend to go for the cheaper food rather than the healthy food because it doesn’t cost as much, and as a time convenience. We hypothesize that in the English 1010 class we are using as our sample; most of the students will say in the survey that they are healthier eaters than they really are and when given a choice, will pick an unhealthy snack rather than a healthy snack.

Methods

This was a simple experiment. Professor Combs went to an English 1010 class that meets at eleven on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridaythat consists of a wide variety of students with ages ranging from 17-31, male and female, all different levels of education with some living on campus and some still at home. She asked them to complete a simple survey regarding the habits of the average college student. She told them that our class really appreciated the help with the survey and she would be bringing them treats later in the week. This is where the actual experiment began.

The treats our professor brought were Fuji apples, Sweet & Salty granola bars, assorted chips, and assorted candy bars. The object of the experiment was to find out how many college students would actually pick the healthier snack when given that option; with the healthiest being the apples, then the granola bars, then the chips, and leaving the candy bars as the most obviously unhealthy. Professor Combs documented the amount of each of the snacks she had at the beginning, let each student pick one, and then counted the snacks again to see how many were taken from each choice.

Results

With 25 of each of the food items provided, the following results were recorded:

  • 11 apples
  • 7 granola bars
  • 5 candy bars
  • and 3 chips

The students were told to take one and only one food item; however, as the students exited the classroom, two girls took one additional candy bar each. This results in 18 healthy foods and 10 unhealthy foods taken (including the girls who took extra candy bars). Additionally, excluding the girls who took extra candy bars, there were 26 items taken. Yet, there were 24 students in the class, so a student (or students), took two extra items in addition to the two girls the professor saw take extra candy bars.

This graph compares the results from the survey given to what the students actually took when given the option. The only question we care about from the survey is as follows:

  • I usually choose healthy snacks when given the choice? True/False.

Discussion

We hypothesized that the English 1010 class would choose an unhealthy snack over a healthy snack. It appears that the data refutes our hypothesis because out of the 28 items taken, 18 of them were healthy snacks. We believe the majority chose to take healthy snacks because a lot of students are no longer living at home. They don’t think to purchase healthy items like apples or granola bars so when it’s laid out for them, they’ll choose it. This shows that college students are unhealthy, to a point, but it’s not to the extent that most people assume. If anything, it’s no more than any other population.

This study could have possibly been affected or limited because the students may have wanted to appear to be a healthy eater in front of their instructor who is observing them as they approach the snack table. In a repeat of this study there shouldn’t be anyone at the table or serving them. Instead, quiet observation from an unknown individual should occur.

The numbers of items taken didn’t match up with the number of candy bars taken because most people don’t generally listen to the full instructions or just don’t care. This doesn’t really affect the data collected because it’s just another snack taken and, if anything, just further proves the data for us. If someone is going to take an apple the first time up to the table, they may only be doing it to appear healthy. That second trip will generally show what they would really take.

This was an important study because it somewhat disproves the label that college students are unhealthy. In order to fully prove this we would have to observe and analyze the full diets of college students over time, not just one snack time where they’re given four options. We would also have to take into account height, weight, BMI, lifestyle, etc. While we can’t come to one conclusion with this small study; it does begin to show us the truth about this stereotype. Only with further experimentation and a more varied population can we truly throw this assumption out the window.

References

Spanos, D. (2009). The habitual meal and snacking patterns of university students in two countries and their use of vending machines.Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Retrieved from habitual meal and snacking patterns of university students.pdf

Deshpande, S. (2009). Factors influencing healthy eating habits among college students: an application of the health belief model. Health Marketing Quarterly, Retrieved from