Role of attitude and practices about pre-conceptual nutrition among female students

Background: Diet is associated with five of the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. Currently the greatest increase in overweight and obesity in the U.S. has occurred in 19–24 year olds. Those youth age groups are 43-times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, as well as other risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes, which poses a concern for the future health of Americans as well as the already excessive health care costs. This study was proposed in order to assess female-students attitude and practices regarding healthy diet during preconceiving period. Method: The information was collected from eighty female students who enroll on fall courses at SIUC using a survey with 13 questions. The questions asked about the attitude and practices regarding nutrition such as attitude to a healthy diet, attitude to receive pre-conceptual care counseling, exercise, and some daily habits. Result: Eighty female students participated in this survey with the mean age of 24.5 (M= 24.5). The results show that most of the participants have attitude forward eating healthy food, attitude toward healthy practices such as exercise, and attitude to get more information regarding healthy diet during pre-conception period as well. Conclusion: There is a slight trend to an attitude to a healthy diet and practices during preconception period, but it is not highly significant. Since only 80 people participated on the survey, the results only present slight tendencies. Additional studies are required in order to get more reliable and accurate results.