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The American College Health Association estimated that 31% of college students are overweight or obese. It is important that students have a correct perception of body weight status as extra weight has potential adverse health effects. This study assessed accuracy of perceived weight status versus medical classification among 102 college students. Perceived weight status was determined by responses to these questions, as part of a health questionnaire, "Are you overweight?" and "Which of the following best describes you?" (obese, overweight, normal weight, under weight). Medical classification was indicated from body mass index (using researcher-recorded weight and height) based on World Health Organization standards. Seventy eight percent of participants (n = 80) correctly assessed their weight status with significantly more females (79%, n = 45 of 57) than males (53%, n = 24 of 45) correctly assessing their status (p less than 0.01). All participants who misclassified their weight (n = 33) under classified their status as compared to the medical classification. Participants who correctly classified their status were, on average, 0-10 pounds overweight whereas those who misclassified were 11-20 pounds overweight. Among college students, nutrition education strategies should focus on students correctly identifying their weight status and health implications associated with an overweight/obese condition. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)

Asian Americans constitute one of the fastest growing minorities in the United States, yet public health information about this group is limited. This study assessed health status and intake of nutrients of public health concern among adult Montagnard immigrants, a Vietnamese ethnic pop-ulation. The I 19 participants (55 females) had urban residency in North Carolina and lived in the U.S. for four or more years. All spoke non-English in the home, 10% had low income, and 34% had cardiovascular dis-ease risk. The majority had suboptimal intake of fiber, calcium, and vitamin A, and among 41% of participants, sodium. The findings are of concern due to the increased susceptibility of obesity related health issues among Asian Americans. Nutrient intake is a modifiable risk factor of many chronic diseases. Furthermore, many minority immigrants are supported by community programs that can serve as an avenue to support a healthy diet. Thus, these results are useful in directing nutrition policy and pro-grammatic changes to address the health status and nutrient intake gaps that we identified. The findings are applicable to other culturally distinct groups and rural residents who may be considered vulnerable popula-tions, at high risk for obesity related health issues, and who also rely on community partners for health assistance and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assess if diet quality (DQ) differs among 3 lunch measures commonly used to assess DQ in early care and education (ECE) centers, which include what is listed on the menu, served, and consumed. This quantitative observational study measured DQ of food and beverage items listed on the menu, what children were served, and what they consumed during one lunch meal. Alabama ECE centers. ECE centers (n = 28) with attendance of ≥10 children ages 3 to 5 years and provided lunch daily. DQ measured through Healthy Eating Index–2015 (HEI) scores, which were calculated for the menu, served, and consumed lunch measures. Menu, served, and consumed HEI scores compared using either Kruskal-Wallis or ANOVA. Dunn Bonferroni or Duncan post hoc tests identified which group differed. Total HEI scores were significantly higher among menus, compared with served and consumed (P =.001). Served and consumed total HEI scores were not different. Menu DQ differed from both the served and consumed lunch measures. These findings support the need for nutrition education on the importance of menu adherence in ECE centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]