A dietary study of health club members

This study examined the dietary characteristics of health club members and ascertained if the nutritive quality of a members diet was related to the length of time he/she had been a member. Seventy-three questionnaires were collected from members of the Coast and Valley Health Spa in Ventura, Oxnard and Simi Valley. Each respondent received a diet. score based on the frequency intake of specific foods and beverages. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between length of membership and diet score at the .05 level. A trend of beneficial dietary changes as membership progresses might exist, as the data were significant at the .1 level. Chi square calculations showed significant relationships between a variety of dietary factors. Areas of study included descriptive data on the respondents, use of supplements, daily eating patterns, vegetarian life styles, patronage of fast-food operations and health food stores, and dietary changes occurring during membership.