Comparison of Nutritional and Physical Status according to the Residental Type among College Women in Seoul Women's University and Sahmyook University

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of residence types ( parent house, dormitory or boarding home, boarding home w/o food) on the dietary habits and health status of college women (20-23 y). Overall, 46.1% of college women reported that they were economically middle class and spent 200,000-390,000 won. Additionally, 17.4% of college women considered themselves healthy, while 33.8% reported that they were not healthy. Furthermore, 32.0% of college women had experience to control their weight and 39.8% reported that they exercised to control their weight. There were no significant differences in the height and weight of the subjects according to residential type, but the amount of skeletal muscles mass (21.0 +/- 2.6 kg) of the subjects that lived in dormitory or boarding home was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of women who lived at home. Additionally, 30.8% of students that lived in private residences, 25.0% of students that dwelled in dormitory or boarding homes and 27.7% of students that boarding home w/o food had three regular meals every day (p < 0.05). It has been reported that 18.3% of college students eat processed and instant foods due to their convenience. In the present study, intakes of energy, protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E and folic acid for the subjects who lived in dormitory or boarding homes was significantly higher than those of students who lived in private residences (p < 0.05). Additionally, intakes of iron, calcium, and zinc were lower in the subjects that boarding home w/o food (p < 0.05). Finally, the blood glucose level was 84.7 +/- 13.0 mg/dL, and differed significantly by residential types (p < 0.05); however, the average glucose levels of all subjects were within the normal range (90-110 mg/dL).