Date of Graduation

5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Biomedical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Gallagher, Kaitlin

Abstract

Many factors contribute to college student's success both inside and outside of the classroom. Physical activity, mental health, sleep, and grit are key influences for academic achievement and retention. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) On Campus is part of a worldwide initiative through the American College of Sports Medicine that recognizes the importance of physical activity for health by both assessing and promoting physical activity to all students, faculty, and staff. The EIM survey is a tool for collecting general health information about a campus population, as it consists of questions on demographic information, health status, familial health history, diet choices, food security, mental health, substance use, physical activity, sleep, and grit. Information in this study was gathered to provide insight into the health status of First-Year Engineering students at the University of Arkansas to establish a baseline data set for use in future studies on student success and positive campus health interventions. This population consisted of approximately 583 students enrolled full-time as First-year students in the College of Engineering during the Fall Semester of 2019. There were 470 valid survey responses (350 male and 120 female). Preliminary results demonstrate low physical activity levels, high levels of poor sleep quality, mental health issues, and above-average grit in first-year engineering students across both genders. Males were found to have a higher frequency of exercise while females were found to have a higher frequency of mental health issues. Both groups showed similar sleep qualities and quantities. Females had a significantly greater average grit score than males. All these areas can be subject to future studies on correlation and prevalence among engineering students or in comparison to other disciplines.

Keywords

exercise, engineering students, academic success

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