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!