Record Details
A comparison of the health status of freshmen at Oregon State University from 1930 to 1960
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | A comparison of the health status of freshmen at Oregon State University from 1930 to 1960 |
| Names |
McAfee, Donald Claude
(creator) Anderson, Carl L. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1967-04-18 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1967 |
| Abstract | The data gathered for the study of the health status of freshmen at Oregon State University were derived by an analysis of health history records. These were obtained from the Oregon State University Health Service. The years sampled were 1930, 1940, 1950 and 1960; 300 freshman male and 300 freshman female names were chosen at random for each sample year, giving a total of 2400 students studied. The data for each sex were computed separately. Final statistical evaluation was based on range, mean, and standard deviation of the data gained. This gave an average image of the female and male freshman students for each year studied. Included in the study were certain data pertaining to the health status of the student's parents and relatives. Findings The following findings were found in an analysis of the data gathered in the research. 1. Both female and male freshmen show a gain in height and weight with each succeeding year sampled. The greatest mean height was in 1950 and the greatest mean weight was in 1960. 2. While there was a leveling off or decrease in the incidence of communicable diseases, essentially the severe ones, there appeared an increase in non-communicable diseases. 3. Mothers and fathers of freshman students are getting younger. While there is still some difference in age, the father's mean age is approaching that of the mother's. 4. Data on relatives show a decrease in reported cases of tuberculosis. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes all increased greatly, with diabetes showing the greatest percentage of increase. Conclusions 1. Freshmen at Oregon State University are gaining in stature and future generations will probably be heavier and possibly taller. 2. Freshmen at Oregon State University are healthier in the sense that they have a lower case incidence of the communicable, more common severe diseases. However, their chances of developing non-communicable diseases are increasing. 3. The parents of Oregon State University freshmen are successively younger with each decade. 4. If the trend indicated in the study continues relatives of freshmen at Oregon State University will experience an increase in the incidence of organic diseases. Recommendations Criteria for health status should be established and health record cards should be designed to reflect these criteria. Other studies should be initiated to provide comparisons with this study. In this way up-to-date norms can be established for local, regional and national utilization. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Students -- Health and hygiene |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/47019 |
