Nutrition, Exercise Habits, & Perceptions of Obesity in Hispanic College Students in South Texas: A 10 year Follow-up
Dr. Melody Y. Knight, Dr. Lorraine Killion, Dr. Larry P. Knight

Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine if Hispanic college students perceive themselves to be more overweight than other ethnicity students and if so, if this difference is caused by diet, lack of exercise or both. A 10 year comparison was completed with previous data from the same university. Participants were a convenience sample of 228 college students enrolled in classes between June 2012 and June 2013. Methodology involved comparisons of means and frequency distributions. Results:More Hispanic students self-reported being overweight, eating poorly, exercising less and participating in fewer sports than Caucasian or African American students. With diabetes, heart disease and other weight and diet related diseases at epidemic proportions, and with the number of Hispanics in the United States rising, obesity, poor eating and poor exercise habits among young Hispanics could place an additional, unnecessary strain on our health care system.

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