A Study on the Physical Growth and Food Consumption of University Woman Students

A study to determine the physical development and nutritional status of the 2,170 women entering Ewha Womans University in 1978 was undertaken in order to contribute basic data needed for planning nutritional education. Data gathered during the entrance physical examination included measurements of physical growth and skinfold thickness and information on the consumption of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Findings are summarized: 1. More than half the students were 19 years old (57.7%), 28.1% were 18 or younger, 14.2% were 20 or order. 2. Most students reported they had been breast fed(78.0%). Weaning took place between 6 to 8 months for 31.9% of the group, and between 12 and 17 months for 21.2% 3. Height and weight did not vary for the 18 to 21 year group according to age, Height ranged from 156.3±4.3 to 158.7±4.8cm and weight ranged from 50.5±6.1 to 52.0±5.9kg. 4. Abdominal skinfold thickness for the 18 to 21 year old group ranged from 17.9±6.2 to 18.7±6.2mm; lumbar thickness ranged from 16.4±7.1 to 17.8±7.4mm; upper arm from 19.5±6.3 to 20.9±4.8mm; back ranged from 16.8±6.1 to 18.4±6.3mm. Mean skinfold thickness ranged from 17.6±5.0 to 18.8±5.0mm. 5. Total fat content in proportion to body weight ranged from 24.0 to 25.0% for 14.0% of the total group. This entering class of students showed a relatively high fat content, over 24.0% for 76.3% of the group. 6. In daily nutrients intake daily protein intake per student ranged from 45 to 99g for 88.1% of the group, fat from 11 to 39g for 61.4% and carbohydrates 151 to 299g for 62.8%.