Diet and Cardiovascular Risk in University Marching Band, Dance Team and Cheer Squad Members
Author Information
Author(s): Shreela V Sharma, Jill A Bush, Andrew J Lorino, Mark Knoblauch, Diana Abuamer, Gabe Blog, Dave Bertman
Primary Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Dietary factors such as low intake of grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and high intake of alcohol are significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Conclusion
The study found a high prevalence of unhealthy dietary habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors among university marching band, dance team, and cheer squad members.
Supporting Evidence
- 45% of participants were overweight.
- 30% of females and 4.3% of males had a high waist-to-hip ratio.
- Less than 50% consumed the recommended servings of grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- 58% of participants consumed alcohol.
Takeaway
Many college athletes eat poorly and have health risks like being overweight or having high blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems.
Methodology
Participants completed a survey on dietary intake, and various health metrics were measured including BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Potential Biases
Self-reported measures of dietary intake could introduce bias.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported dietary intake, which may not be accurate, and did not assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
Participant Demographics
Participants were members of a university marching band, dance team, and cheer squad, with a mean age of 19.3 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.030 for grains intake and BMI; p = 0.002 for alcohol intake and BMI.
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.19, 3.74 for grains; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.24 for alcohol.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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