Whole-grain intake is associated with body mass index in college students

Objective: To measure whole-grain intake in college students and determine the association with body mass index (BMI). Design: Cross-sectional convenience sample of college students enrolled in an introductory nutrition course. Setting: Large state university. Participants: 159 college students, mean age: 19.9. Main outcome measures: Intake of whole grains, refined grains, calories, and fiber from food records; BMI determined from height and weight measurements. Analysis: Analysis of variance with linear contrasts; participants grouped by BMI category (P <.05). Results: Average intake of cereal grains was 5.4 servings per day, of which whole-grain intake accounted for an average of 0.7 servings per day. Whole-grain intake was significantly higher in normal weight students than in overweight and obese students (based on BMI). Conclusions and implications: The low intake of whole grains in this population of college students indicates the need for interventions aiming to increase whole-grain intake to the recommended minimum of 3 servings per day. College students who are concerned about their body weight may be motivated to increase their intake of whole-grain foods; however, their intake of whole grains is likely to be influenced by the availability of these food items in campus dining halls and other locations around the college campus.