alcohol consumption & weight gain

Alcohol Consumption &

Weight Gain Alexandra Holzworth, Pauline Cornelius,

Jessica Branch & Kali Gloer

Introduction

Background Scientific ResearchData from Relevant Studies

A quarter of participants gained at least five pounds (Drew) Alcohol causes an imbalance of energy chemicals in the body (Suter)

Research Question

What attitudes do UGA undergraduates have towards weight gain as a result of alcohol consumption?

Research Based Hypothesis

As UGA undergraduates’ weight gain as a result of alcohol consumption increases, UGA undergraduates’ attitude towards alcohol consumption with decrease.

Negatively related

MethodSurvey

45 questionsWeight Gain as a Result of Alcohol Consumption (IV)

Weight GainAlcohol Consumption

Attitude (DV)Influence/Reasons for Dinking Perceptions of Alcohol

MethodObservational Research

Observer as Participant Variables of interest

DemographicsPrice/Amount/Type of Alcohol Consumed Food Consumption

Method

Focus GroupsTwo groups

60 minute sessions4+ Participants per Group

1+ Male (s), 1+ (s) Female

MethodHypothetical Experimental Design

Stratified Random Sampling

100 UGA Undergraduate Students

50 Male, 50 Female

Study Duration3 Months

Studied FactorsWeight Gain

Academic Performance

Money Spent

Results-Quantitative

Survey

74 Responses

College students 18-24

11 Male, 63 Female

Chi-Square Findings

Gender (IV) and Weight Gain (DV)

Asymptote Sig. = .000

Gender (IV) and Willingness to Consume (DV)

Asymptote Sig. = .001

Meaningful Difference between Expected and Observed

Results-Quantitative

SurveyCorrelation Tests

Continuous Variables Willingness to Modify Frequency Alcohol Consumption vs. Willingness to Modify Caloric Intake

(r = .664 and p<.001)

Consuming Alcohol Because of Social Accepting vs. Consuming Alcohol To Boost Self Esteem

(r= .835 and p<.001)

Results- Qualitative

Observational Research

60 people Observed

28 Male

32 Female

Money>Taste>Calories

Eating Habits

Surroundings

Focus Group

Similar Settings

Varied Alcohol Preferences

Varied Consumption Frequencies

Weight Gain

Peer Pressure

DiscussionInterpretation

UGA undergraduates have a negative toward weight gain as a result of alcohol consumption

Hypothesis supported

Contextual Importance Many UGA undergraduates consume alcohol

Many UGA undergraduates gain weight

Spread Awareness of Adverse Health Effects

Inspire New Social Norms

Limitations & Future Research Limitations

Time ConstraintOne-way ANOVASnowball Sampling

Limitations & Future Research Future Research

Compare alcohol consumption in various college campuses in Georgia/USIn depth questions about what college students would/would not be willing to change Undergraduate behavior changes when given nutritional facts Age/Gender/Socio-economic comparisons

Cheers!