Date of Award:

5-2009

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Kinesiology and Health Science

Department name when degree awarded

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Committee Chair(s)

Dale R. Wagner

Committee

Dale R. Wagner

Committee

Edward M. Heath

Committee

Heidi Wengreen

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the change in weight and body composition over a 6-week holiday period. Change in body composition was measured using air displacement plethysmography technology (Bod Pod®). Thirteen men and 21 women ranging in age from 23-61 years were participants for this study. Baseline testing occurred the week of Thanksgiving Day (November 24 or 25), and the post-holiday assessment was the week after Utah State University's holiday break (January 5 or 6). Results from a nutrition and exercise questionnaire revealed a significant difference between pre-holiday and post-holiday consumption of vegetables (8.6 ± 8.3 vs. 6.2 ± 4.0), special holiday foods (1.6 ± 1.9 vs. 2.5 ± 2.1), regular soda (1.5 ± 2.2 vs. 2.2 ± 2.6), and social gatherings attended (1.6 ± 1.5 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7). There was also a statistically significant decline in the number of days per week individuals exercised pre-holiday (3.7 ± 2.0 day/week) versus post-holiday (2.6 ± 2.3 day/week). Despite these differences, there was no statistically significant difference between pre-holiday weight (74.0 ± 17.8 kg) and post-holiday weight (73.9 ± 18.1 kg), nor between pre-holiday body fat percentage (25.4 ± 9.0%) and post-holiday body fat percentage (25.4 ± 8.9%).

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