Relationship between whole grain intake and body weight status among college students

Adolescents who are obese are at higher risk for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes as compared to normal weight peers. Especially college students are exposed to unhealthy eating habits leading to body weight gain. Whole grain food is important part of human nutrition providing a wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytosterols and other phytochemicals and could help in weight management among college students. The study is also aimed to find the relationship between whole grain intake and body composition of college students. One thousand adolescent girls were selected as random for the study and an ex post facto design was used to collect information on demographic profile and dietary habits. A subsample of 100 normal students and 100 overweight and obese students were selected to assess the relationship between whole wheat intake and body weight status. Results indicate that there was a significant association between BMI and consumption of maize (p<0.05) and whole wheat bread (p<0.001). Normal weight students had better knowledge and positive attitude towards whole grain intake compared to overweight students. Nutrition education had a positive impact on the knowledge and awareness of college students on whole wheat intake. Greater whole-grain consumption also inversely related to CVD risk factors including body weight