Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2017
Abstract
Objective. To assess dietary and lifestyle practices of pharmacy and medical students in California and investigate whether they adhered to behaviors consistent with current dietary and exercise guidelines.
Methods. The Block Brief 2000 Food Frequency Questionnaire and a supplemental survey assessing demographics, exercise, and dietary behaviors were administered to students across 10 California pharmacy and medical schools.
Results. While the majority of students consumed sodium/day (73%) and dietary cholesterol/day (84%), only 50% had a saturated fat intake ≤10% total kcal, 13% met fiber intake goals, 10% consumed ≥8 servings/day of fruit and vegetables, and 41% exercised ≥150 minutes/week. The largest barrier to consuming a healthful diet was lack of time.
Conclusion. A high proportion of pharmacy and medical students in California did not meet many of the dietary and physical activity recommendations. Health care programs may benefit from implementing nutrition and lifestyle education in their curriculum.
Recommended Citation
Bergeron, N., Al-Saiegh, S., & Ip, E. J. (2017). An Analysis of California Pharmacy and Medical Students' Dietary and Lifestyle Practices. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81 (8), [Article 5956]. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe5956
Publisher's Statement
Originally published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(8), [Article 5956]. Reprinted with permission of the publisher. The original material can be found here.
