Survey+Results

**Survey Results** To identify the issue at hand, we decided to use two main research methods surveys and interviews. To conduct surveys in a fast and efficient manner, the survey was posted on surveymonkey.com and students were sent the links to fill out the survey. In total we had 38 respondents. The results are posted below.

For our survey we gained great insight that helped us narrow down our targeted audience to mainly be residence students at UTM. Here, we outline a few interesting facts.

Junk food is defined as any foods that are “high in calories and low in nutrition value ( Junk Food ). Our surveys also showed that 60.6% of the respondents, that are students, eat junk food between 1-4 times a week and 30% eat junk food more than 5 times a week. Experts say that the reason people, especially students, like to eat junk food more often is because they are easy to grab and go, they taste good and the advertising industry that promotes junk food (Junk Food’s So Tasty, But Where Is it leading Me?). Excessive junk food can lead to heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol and kidney failure amongst other things (Junk Food’s So Tasty, But Where Is it leading Me?). Canada’s Food Guide suggests that people between 19-50 years of age should have 7-10 servings of vegetables and fruits, 6-8 servings of grain products, 2 servings of milk and alternatives, and 2-3 servings of meat and alternatives, per day (Much Food Do You Need Everyday?). Our survey illustrated that only 21.2% of respondents get 6-11 servings of vegetables and fruits, and grain products per day. Furthermore, 57.6% get 0-2 servings of milk and alternatives per day and 48.5% get 0-2 servings of meats and alternatives all day. The fact that most students are receiving the recommended servings for milk and meat alternatives is a good sign of healthy eating. On the other hand, only 21.1% fulfill the recommendations for vegetables and fruits and grain products per day. Eating vegetables and fruits, is full of vitamins, fiber and minerals and helps reduce the risk of one suffering from cancer, cardiovascular problems and other diseases (Vegetables and Fruit). 39.4% of the respondents say that they spend $1.00-$20.00, with a close runner-up of 36.4% saying that they spend $21-40 on buying meals (this is not including groceries) per week. Also, 18.2% said that they spend more than $41.00 on food per week. From the survey results we learnt that 54.5% of all respondents do not use any gym facilities mainly due to the lack of motivation. This is a huge problem as many health problems are related to the lack of physical activity conducted by individuals. One of the most obvious problems that results from not being physically active is excessive body weight. Additionally, research shows that those who conduct less than 2-3hours of exercise per week are more likely to suffer from weak bones and muscles, cardiovascular diseases, cancer (colon and breast), and type 2 diabetes amongst other health problems (Physical Activity for Everyone).