Question 1
Do you think that using freshman students enrolled in a dietetic course affected the outcome? Why or why not?
posted by Colin @ 10:35 AM
16 comments
ISU Dietetic Internship Journal Club
Objective: To become familiar with current scientific literature on a variety of nutrition topics and to gain experience in gathering, organizing, critically evaluating, presenting and facilitating group discussion of the literature and the implications to practice.
16 Comments:
Yes, I think it affected the outcome, but not to the degree that I initially thought. Do you remember being a freshman dietetic student? I sort of do, and I didn't know much! The subjects were obviously more interested in diet and nutrition than an average student, and likely more conscious. This certainly affected the outcome compared to a general student. Perhaps a different sample, say, and engineering class, would have had more significant results. Interesting choice for a sample.
Yes, I do think that using the dietetic students did affect the outcome of the study. These subjects were selected because this age group is more vulnerable to poor diet quality, yet these were dietetic students. I believe that these students do have a relatively more healthful lifestyle than ‘typical’ college students. Choosing different subjects would have enhanced the results of this study, perhaps. I also think that because women were used in the study, that this could have also affected the outcome. Women tend to be more health conscious than men, typically. I think having an equal number of women and men would have also enhanced the results of this study.
Using a sample of dietetic students in a nutrition-based research study certainly can affect the results. These students probably had a bit more knowledge and/or awareness of the topic than other non-dietetics students. Another thought that comes to my mind is that they may not have answered survey questions truthfully, knowing what the outcomes of the study were going to be. I agree with Emily when she says a different sample would have been a better choice.
I do feel that the outcome could have been skewed because they used freshman students in a dietetic course. I believe this because regardless of whether or not they want to take the class, they are going to be more health conscious at that point in their life. They are more likely to follow a healthier diet as they are learning about it in class. Looking at the results though, the sample size did not affect the outcome but I don't think it was the smartest move to use Freshman students in a nutrition class.
Meredith-
I agree that the sample choosen would be more health conscious and they are more likely to follow a healthier diet as they are learning about it in class. More than likely they do have an interest in nutrition and would probably have healthier eating habits than the average "Joe." I still think that a different sample for this study would have been a better option.
Yes, limiting the study to only college freshman represents only a small portion of the larger population. Because such a small, limited population was used, this study should not be generalized to the larger population, such as what the author of this article did.
Most freshman at colleges and universities live on campus, and therefore participate in one of the meal plans offered. Many of these schools participate in all-you-care-to-eat dining, and therefore most likely have different dining habits than most of the people in Japan and the US. Intake of soda maybe higher with these students simply because they have better access to it. Unfortunately, they also have better access to an unlimited supply of energy, carbohydrates, confections, fat, and oil if they so choose these foods.
The results of this study may be best used when describing intakes of college students, especially living on campus. Since the researchers also used the dietetic course for their subjects, men and those less interested in nutrition, were severly under-represented.
Britt,
Interesting thought when you say the students may not have answered the survey questions accurately. We do know that a lot of people fudge the truth when it comes to their diet and eating habits. This could very well be a possibility.
Sure I think there is a relationship between the group and the outcome. I think you have to take into account that they are freshman. You leave a home where you have rules and regulations and suddenly your free to do what you like whenever you like. I know I drank more soda and other things when I first went to college! Being that they are dietetic students they may have a better idea of what may be a better choice, but they are just starting. A random sample would give you a better overall idea.
Susan
Carrie,
I agree men are not represented. There is so much more to this study. Feel like they really missed a large audience.
Susan
I always think that using people in nutrition classes or in the nutrition field skews results of surveys about food or drink consumption. This population is not reflective of the typical person in many ways and therefore doesn't really give an accurate picture of what the average person does or thinks.
I agree Brittany. Dietetic students are more likely to be aware of their diet, or at the very least are more vulnerable to answering questions with how they think they should be acting (based on their nutrition knowledge) rather than what they are really doing.
I do think that using dietetic students had an effect on the outcomes. More and more students are starting in dietetics as freshmen, but more than not people switch into dietetics after a nutrtion course. So those students are more informed about nutrition.
Tori
Emily,
I agree that using freshmen may not have had the impact that we think. These students are away from home for the first time and cooking, or eating at the dorm for the first time. So even those that are in dietetics are still on their own for the first time.
Tori
I think that the use of freshmen college students effected the outcome of the study for a variety of reasons. First, these are students interested in diet and nutrition, the majority of the subjects was probably female due to the high numbers of women in the dietetics field, and thirdly, because many of these students may be living in campus housing and therefore, have access to campus dining services where they have access to healthful options.
Good point Carrie, this study should not be generalized to the general population since they used strictly college freshmen in a dietetics program.
Emily, I agree-most nutrition students don't know a lot about nutrition as freshmen. I didn't take my first nutrition class until my second year, which I think is common for a lot of programs.
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