Assessing Health Trends and Disparities of College-Aged Students at a Mid-Atlantic HBCU

This quantitative study was designed to investigate whether differences existed between body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and systolic blood pressure based on gender and ethnicity. Participants included 2,051 Delaware State University students enrolled in the Lifetime Fitness and Wellness course from January 2014 to December 2016. Significant differences at the p < .05 level were found between body weight and gender, body fat percent and gender, body fat percent and ethnicity, and systolic blood pressure and gender. While not found to be statistically significant, other trends were readily apparent in the data. The action plan describes a comprehensive, campuswide obesity initiative that would benefit universities across the country.