Report Title

Relationship Between Nutrition Knowledge and Obesity in Southern California Adults

Collective Title

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Research Reports 2018

Abstract

Background

Over one third of the adult population in the U.S. are obese placing them at higher risk for morbidity or mortality.

Objective

To determine if lack of nutrition knowledge has a positive impact on eating behaviors using obesity status as an indicator.

Design

Participants completed the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ), Anonymous Demographic Questionnaire (ADQ), and anthropometric measurements were taken during a one-time meeting lasting about one hour.

Participants/Setting

Data collection was completed on 334 participants between the ages of 18-55 years in a southern California community sample.

Intervention

Anthropometric measurements were collected by the research team and consisted of waist circumference, height, weight, and Bio-impedance analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

Questionnaires were scored by the researchers using a predefined answer guide.

Statistical Analyses Performed

Statistical analysis was completed using Mann-Whitney Test for multiple comparisons.

Results

There was no significant difference between mean GNKQ % score for gender (p=.21); Table 1. There was a significant difference between mean GNKQ % score for the age group and income (p=.02 and p=.04, respectively); Table 1. There was a significant difference between GNKQ % score for normal vs. overweight BMI class (p=.001) and with overweight vs obese BMI class (p=.001); Table 2. There was no significant difference between mean GNKQ % score for male waist circumference < 40 vs. ≥ 40 (p=.49). However, there was a significant difference between mean GNKQ % score for female waist circumference <35 vs. ≥ 35 (p=.002); Table 2.

Conclusions

Obesity is multifactorial and thus cannot be pinned on any one factor such as diet, exercise or nutrition knowledge. There is potential benefit to implement nutrition intervention during this obesity epidemic. Our findings suggest that participants who were obese, had lower nutrition knowledge than those who were of normal BMI. Lack of nutrition knowledge may be one of the many contributing factors for obesity.

LLU Discipline

Nutrition and Dietetics

Department

Nutrition and Dietetics

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Gheen, Cory

Second Advisor

Zimmerman, Grenith

Third Advisor

Bains, Gurinder

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2018

Date (Title Page)

2018

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Obesity/psychology; Nutrition Surveys

Keywords

Obesity; Nutrition Knowledge; Southern California; Nutrition Surveys

Type

Research Report

Page Count

31

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Collection Website

scholarsrepository.llu.edu/rr/

Repository

Loma Linda University. University Libraries.

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