Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate weight control status and associated factors among health-related major female college students. The subjects consisted of 41 nutrition and 78 physical exercise major female college students. Nutrient intakes, biochemical index, nutrition knowledge (recognition and accuracy), interest of weight control, body satisfaction, self-recognition of health condition, self-evaluated body weight were studied. About 73% of nutrition and 79% of physical exercise major female students were in the normal range of BMI (18.5~23) and 2% of nutrition and 1% of physical exercise major female students were underweight, 10% of nutrition and 6% of physical exercise major female students were obese. There were no significant differences in height and weight by major but %body fat and WHR in physical exercise majors were significantly lower than nutrition major students (respectively p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Overall, nutrition intakes of subjects were not shown to be appropriate, especially Ca/P of subjects was shown 0.54~0.64, fat% out of energy of subjects was shown 24.7~29.0 and Na intake was shown above 2000mg. Recognition and accuracy of nutrition were higher than those of physical exercise majors (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in self-recognition of health condition, self-evaluated body weight, satisfaction of body shape by major and weight control attempt. But interest of weight control of attempter was higher than that of no-attempter in nutrition (p < 0.05) and physical exercise major students (p < 0.01). Significantly negative correlation was found in satisfaction of body and BMI, body fat mass, %bodyfat, WHR. And significantly positive correlation was found in interest of weight control and BMI, %bodyfat, WHR. It was noticeable to see that interest of weight control was positively correlated to accuracy and accuracy was negatively correlated to blood cholesterol level. Therefore, proper nutrition education for female college students is needed in order to improve their weight control-related health.

• Keywords: female college students; weight control; nutrition knowledge; BMI