Alcohol Consumption &
Weight Gain Alexandra Holzworth, Pauline Cornelius,
Jessica Branch & Kali Gloer
Research Question
What attitudes do UGA undergraduates have towards weight gain as a result of alcohol consumption?
IntroductionBackground Scientific Research
Data 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 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 Groups
Two groups60 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 Duration
3 MonthsStudied Factors
Weight GainAcademic PerformanceMoney Spent
Results-Quantitative
Survey74 Responses
College students 18-2411 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 Male32 Female
Money>Taste>CaloriesEating HabitsSurroundings
Focus GroupSimilar SettingsVaried Alcohol Preferences Varied Consumption FrequenciesWeight GainPeer Pressure
DiscussionInterpretation
Hypothesis supported UGA undergraduates have a negative attitude towards weight gain as a result of alcohol consumption
Contextual Importance Many UGA undergraduates consume alcohol Many UGA undergraduates gain weight Spread Awareness of Adverse Health EffectsInspire 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!