PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EPIDEMIOLOGY

Formal Writing Assignment

Nutritional & Physical Activity Assessment <= o:p>

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to assess your nutritional and physical activity habits through the use of self-monitoring. You will use this information to understand and reflect upon your dietary a= nd activity habits and discover ways in which you can live a healthier lifesty= le. You will be required to use “Fit Day”, a free online journal, to tr= ack and analyze your nutrition and activity.

Knowledge<= /span>

Dietary Food Log Requirements=

-&nb= sp; Each student is required to keep a nutritional log for 3 days; 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day

-&nb= sp; Everything eaten and drunk during these days should be recorded with accuracy (cups, ounces, servings, etc.)

-&nb= sp; Do not change in any way your eating habits because you are writing = down what you consume. Maintaining= your normal eating patterns and habits will give you a much better picture of yo= ur overall diet in terms of meeting the recommended standards.

-&nb= sp; This information will be recorded using www.fitday.com under the “Food” tab.

-&nb= sp; If the food or drink item consumed has a food label (i.e. granola ba= r, Gatorade) and it is not exactly identified when doing a search (with regard= s to cals, grams of fat, etc.), use the “new c= ustom food” tab to insert the exact ingredients of the item. This will add = this item to the memory bank, as well as provide a more accurate detailed record= of your nutrient intake.

-&nb= sp; You are required to hand in a print out of each day recorded that displays “Calories Eaten Today” and “Today’s Foods&= #8221;.

-&nb= sp; In addition, answers to the following questions should be typed and answered in full, complete sentences:

What was your total caloric intake for each= day (be specific)? What was = your average daily caloric intake for the 3 days recorded? Does this average caloric int= ake surprise you? Why or why not?

On what day did you record the highest numb= er of calories? Lowest? Discuss in at least a paragraph (4 sentences) what factors may have accounted for these differences.

Did you consume more calories on a week day= or weekend day? Does this coincide with what you would have thought prior= to logging your caloric intake? Why or why not (discuss in at least a paragraph – 4 sentences)?

On average, did = you meet, exceed, or fall short of the daily caloric intake requirements f= or carbohydrates, fat and protein? When answering, please include the requirement ranges for each macronutrient, as well as your average dai= ly caloric intake.

In at least two paragraphs provide your own personal feedback based o= n the information above. For example, did= you find your average caloric intake to be higher or lower than you expect= ed? Did you have more or less fat in your diet than you had originally thought? Also, i<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>f you had to make modifications to your die= t, what would they be and how would you go about making such changes?

Activity Log Requirements

-&nb= sp; Each student is required to keep an activity log for the same 3 days= in which the food log was kept.

-&nb= sp; ALL activity done throughout the day should be recorded with as much detail and accuracy as possible (time spent in hrs/min= s, mph, rpm, etc.). Activity includes grooming (brushing your teeth, getting dressed, showering, etc.), eating, lying, sitting, watching tv, driving, standing, walking, sleeping, runni= ng, lifting, etc.

-&nb= sp; You should not change in any way your activity habits because you are keeping an activity log. Maintaining your normal activity patterns and habits will give you a better picture of your overall daily activity.

-&nb= sp; This information will be recorded using www.fitday.com under the “Activity” tab.

-&nb= sp; The more detailed log you keep, the more accurate will be the estima= te of your total daily energy expenditure.

-&nb= sp; You are required to hand in a print out of each day recorded that displays “Calories Burned Today” and “Today’s Activities”.

-&nb= sp; In addition, the answers to the following questions should be typed = and answered in full and complete sentences:

What was your total energy expendit= ure for each day and your average total energy expenditure for the 3 days recorded (Be specific)?

How did your total energy expenditu= re differ between weekday to weekend recording= s? Explain in a paragraph and include potential reasons for this discrepa= ncy/lack there of.

On average, do you think you are getting in enough daily activity and exercise? Include reasons as to w= hy you think you are or are not being as active as you should.

In at least two paragraphs provide your own personal feedback based on the information above. For example, did you find your average daily energy expenditure to be higher or lower than you expected? If you are not= being as active as you should, provide barriers preventing you from doing so= and ways you can fit more physical activity and exercise into your daily routine. If you believe = you are being as active as you should be, provide reasons as to how you are able to find time to fit activity and exercise into your busy schedule. Explain your secretes to success?

Dietary intake vs E= nergy Expenditure

Go to the “Reports” tab and click on “Calories burned vs calories eaten”. Provide a paragraph or two on your energy balance (For example: on average,= are you in a positive or negative caloric balance) and what this means in terms= of weight loss and weight gain. Also provide your goal with regards to your we= ight (loss, maintenance or gain) and ways in which you will need to manipulate y= our diet and activity habits to achieve this goal.

Audience

&nbs= p; The audience for this assignment is the Professor.

Format

1. All assignments should be accompanied with a title page (name, assignment title, course name and section #, and date)

2. All answers should be typed using 11 – 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font.

3. Margins should be 1 inch.

Evaluation Criteria

1. This assignment will be worth a total of 85 points. Grading will be based on the= :

- Completeness of following the outlined req= uirements

- Comprehensiveness and detail of answers pr= ovided

2. Assignments will not be accepted:

- Without a title page

- Without papers bound

- After 1:30pm on November 12, 2010