International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2018; 7(2): 39-46 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijnfs doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20180702.11 ISSN: 2327-2694 (Print); ISSN: 2327-2716 (Online) Frequency of Vending Machine Usage as a Predictor of Weight Status Among College Students Morgan Faulk Sowers 1 , Sarah Colby 1, * , Wenjun Zhou 2 , Agricola Odoi 3 , Elizabeth Anderson Steeves 1 , Katie Kavanagh 1 1 Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA 2 Department of Business Analytics and Statistics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA 3 Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Morgan Faulk Sowers, Sarah Colby, Wenjun Zhou, Agricola Odoi, Elizabeth Anderson Steeves, Katie Kavanagh. Frequency of Vending Machine Usage as a Predictor of Weight Status Among College Students. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Vol. 7, No. 2, 2018, pp. 39-46. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20180702.11 Received: December 30, 2017; Accepted: January 25, 2018; Published: February 12, 2018 Abstract: Background: College students have identified frequent unhealthy snacking from vending machines as influencing their dietary intake and weight status. However, research on associations between vending usage and weight status is lacking. Objectives: 1.) Compare college students’ demographic characteristics by frequency of vending machine usage (FVU) and body mass index (BMI). 2.) Determine associations between FVU and BMI levels among college students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a convenience sample of college students (n=110) completed an online survey providing demographics, height and weight, and FVU – categorized as “none” (never or rarely), “low” (less than once per month, or “high” (once per month or more). Demographics were analyzed using descriptive statistics with comparisons by FVU and BMI levels. Associations between FVU and BMI levels, alone and controlling for sex and race/ethnicity, were tested using a proportional odds logistic model. Results: The majority of participants were in the lowest FVU (50%) and normal BMI (56%; M=24.2 kg/m 2 ) levels. BMI was significantly different by FVU levels (p=.012). Logistic regression indicated the highest FVU category was associated with a 4.6 times greater odds of being overweight or obese (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study described a significant relationship between higher levels of FVU and higher levels of BMI among college students. This formative evidence can inform future vending interventions in this population. Keywords: Vending Machine Usage, Weight Status, College Students 1. Introduction College students experience a newfound freedom of choice associated with the college lifestyle, including in dietary choices. [1, 2] Unfortunately, this freedom often translates into the development of unhealthy eating patterns, excessive energy intake, and undesired weight gain. [2-5] Currently, 35.1 percent of college students in the United States are overweight or obese, [6] which can lead to an increased risk of developing serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. [7] Furthermore, obesity prevalence in the college-aged individuals has increased more than any age group, and has more than doubled in the past 30 years. [8] One dietary habit identified by college students as potentially influencing their weight status is frequent snacking. [9] Approximately 47 percent of the variance in weight gain among college students has been attributed to the frequency or amount of snacks consumed. [4] Furthermore, the number of snacks consumed per day and frequency of snack purchases away from home per week has been significantly associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors related to the development of an overweight or obese weight status. [10, 11]