Article examining college students’ perceptions of health among foods with no fat relative to foods with different types of fats (unsaturated and saturated). Findings suggest that college students lack knowledge regarding the vital role played by the type and amount of fats within a healthy diet.
UNT College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism
The UNT College of Merchandising, Hospitality, and Tourism educates students for the globalization of the hospitality, retail, and tourism industries. The college provides bachelor's and master's programs in a variety of majors.
Article examining college students’ perceptions of health among foods with no fat relative to foods with different types of fats (unsaturated and saturated). Findings suggest that college students lack knowledge regarding the vital role played by the type and amount of fats within a healthy diet.
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Abstract: Despite recent relaxation of restrictions on dietary fat consumption in dietary guidelines, there remains a collective “fear of fat”. This study examined college students’ perceptions of health among foods with no fat relative to foods with different types of fats (unsaturated and saturated). Utilizing a multisite approach, this study collected data from college students at six university dining halls throughout the United States. Data were available on 533 students. Participants were 52% male and consisted largely of first-year students (43%). Across three meal types, the no-fat preparation option was chosen 73% of the time, the unsaturated fat option was selected 23% of the time, and the saturated fat option was chosen 4% of the time. Students chose the no-fat option for all meal types 44% of the time. Findings suggest that college students lack knowledge regarding the vital role played by the type and amount of fats within a healthy diet. Nutrition education and food system reforms are needed to help consumers understand that type of fat is more important than total amount of fat. Efforts across various sectors can encourage incorporating, rather than avoiding, fats within healthy dietary patterns.
This article belongs to the special issue Eating Habits and Health among College and University Students.
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Landry, Matthew J.; Olvany, Jasmine M.; Mueller, Megan P.; Chen, Tiffany; Ikeda, Dana; Sinclair, Danielle et al.Faith in Fat: A Multisite Examination of University Students’ Perceptions of Fat in the Diet,
article,
August 24, 2020;
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1934165/:
accessed September 8, 2024),
University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu;
crediting UNT College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism.
