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Findings from the first year of the TLHS will be presented this spring at two national scientific meetings in April and June 2000. In April we go to FASEB in San Diego, where national and international associations of nutrition scientists meet annually. In June we’re off to the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in Indianapolis which draws health, fitness and exercise scientists from all over the world. The findings from THLS argue for comprehensive intervention strategies targeted to young adults to promote the adoption of lifestyles.
Analysis of TLHS student’s dietary intakes revealed the following: 85% of survey respondents do not meet the minimum recommended intake of dietary fiber, over 60% exceeded recommended intakes of total fat and saturated fat, and one third were not consuming at least 80% of recommended intakes of several minerals, including calcium. In addition, 80% of survey respondents did not agree with the statement “I am confused by reports that give dietary advice”. Thus, confidence in dietary knowledge is not associated with meeting recommended dietary practices.
Because peak bone mass is achieved during the third decade of life, college age adults are still laying down bone. Bone health is affected by several lifestyle practices, including smoking, intake of certain nutrients, alcohol consumption, and weight bearing exercise. TLHS survey respondents were scored for risk for osteoporosis based on these factors and non-modifiable risk factors (such as family history of the disease). Most men (57%) and women (42%) were categorized at moderate risk and 18% of women were at high risk for the disease.
Most American adults do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity. Physical activity is associated with better physical and emotional heath. TLHS found that those survey respondents who reported exercising at least 3 days a week were more likely to report better state of physical and mental health and higher levels of happiness than those who do not exercise. Among women, exercisers were more likely to consume recommended servings of dairy, fruits and vegetables, and to take multivitamin-mineral supplements. Exercising women were also more likely than non-exercising women to report using their time productively.
