Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Tidwell, Diane K.

Committee Member

Briley, Chiquita A.

Committee Member

Cross, Ginger W.

Date of Degree

12-14-2013

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Nutrition

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Abstract

Individuals with weight statuses approaching obesity may be at risk for chronic health problems. Diet, weight, health behaviors, level of knowledge, and attitudes or perceptions have been identified as key factors influencing body weight. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors were related to BMI in adults in north Mississippi and to determine if there were relationships between those factors. A telephone survey was conducted with 500 participants (mean age 46.3 ± 18.5). The average BMI was 27.5 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Knowledge and attitude/perception-based data were associated with a higher BMI in the population more than dietary behaviors. Significant correlations (p < .05) existed between fried food consumption and knowledge of overweight and obesity consequences, dietary attitudes and fruit and vegetable intake and fried food intake, self-reported risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and perception of health.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/19574

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