Watch Your Nutrition: The Freshman 15 is Not the Only Concern

A study was done at a Midwest university to assess nutrient deficiencies in college students. Participants filled out the NIH Diet History Questionnaire II and their responses were used to assess deficiencies in their diet, specifically vitamin C, protein, zinc, and magnesium. The sample included 183 participants, of which 125 were females and 58 were males. Results show that some significant deficiencies may be present in the diet of typical college students. For protein, women, more so than men, were deficient. For magnesium, a majority of females and about a third of males had a deficit. Potential implications will be discussed.