Background: In recent years, the prevalence of Celiac Disease in the United States has been estimated at 1% of the population, or 1 in every 133 people. Currently, the only known treatment for Celiac Disease is the gluten-free diet; however, many healthy individuals in the United States choose to eat a gluten free diet for non medical reasons. Is the gluten free diet a dietary fad? The gluten-free diet is not recommended for anyone who is not suffering from Celiac Disease, as it could possibly result in an increased intake of processed gluten free foods which are often high in added fat, sugar, and calories in order to improve taste. Research Question: Are college students knowledgeable regarding the intended purpose of the gluten-free diet and what is their likelihood of consuming gluten-free foods even if not medically warranted? Participants: Convenience random sample of male and female students ranging from ages of various race and ethnic backgrounds (n=133) Data Collection: A written survey consisting of multiple choice, dichotomous and open-ended type questions was administered by a trained interviewer to assess participant’s knowledge of the gluten-free diet (treatment of Celiac Disease) and the likelihood of eating gluten free foods. Analysis: The data collected was analyzed using cross-tabs in SPSS (1999, SPSS Inc., Chicago IL). The Institutional Review Board of Rutgers University approved this study. Conclusion: The study found that many college students are unaware of the fact the gluten-free diet is only used as treatment for someone who has Celiac Disease. Results also indicated that 90% of students surveyed would eat GF foods offered in the dining halls, despite the fact that 95% of them were not suffering from Celiac Disease. Supporting Ideas: The inconsistency of student knowledge regarding a gluten free diet and the intended purpose may be due to lack of awareness regarding Celiac Disease and proper dietary needs. The fact that students would be willing to follow a gluten free diet without a full understanding of its stated purpose may potentially put them at risk for weight gain as gluten free foods often contain a higher fat, sugar and calorie content than its gluten containing counterparts. Recommendations: Education can be offered to the college population to increase knowledge regarding the intended purpose of a gluten free diet as the treatment for Celiac Disease. Discourage the consumption of specialty, processed gluten-free foods amongst students who do not have Celiac Disease. Despite the gluten-free (GF) diet being solely recommended for individuals with Celiac Disease (CD), many health conscious individuals follow a GF diet, suggesting it is another dietary “fad”. The GF diet is not recommended for anyone who is not suffering from CD as there are no health benefits. A study was conducted to assess college students’ knowledge of the intended purpose of the GF diet and the likelihood of consuming GF foods. A random sample of male and female students (n=133) were surveyed by a trained interviewer in university dining halls. Students answered a total of eight multiple choice, dichotomous and open-ended type questions. Frequency analysis using SPSS indicated, of the 133 students surveyed, 68% correctly reported the purpose of the GF diet to relieve the symptoms of CD, 26.3% of students incorrectly reported the purpose of the GF diet is for weight control and 52.6% claimed it was for overall health. Eighty-nine percent of students surveyed indicated they would eat GF foods if offered in dining halls, despite the fact that 95% of them were not suffering from CD. The results of this study indicate that many college students are unaware of the sole purpose of the GF diet and as a result may increase their intake processed GF foods which are often high in added fat and sugar to improve taste. Efforts to increase knowledge of the college population regarding the prescribed intent of the GF diet as solely a treatment for CD are necessary. Figure 2: Analysis of student’s responses when questioned about the intended purpose of the Gluten-Free Diet Figure 3: Comparison of student’s responses when questioned about whether or not they have Celiac Disease and would consume Gluten-Free Foods Questions 1.Have you heard of the gluten free diet? Y/N If so where have you heard it from?________________________________ 2. What is gluten? a. Carbohydrate b. Protein c. Fat d. All of the above 3. Does _________________________ contain gluten? (Y/N) 1. Whole-Grain Bread6. Apple 2. Rice7. Soy Sauce 3. Pork8. Hot-Dogs 4. Almonds9. Whole-Grain Pasta 5. Wheat Crackers10. Baked Potato What is the purpose of following a gluten-free diet? (Choose all that apply). a. Relieves symptoms of celiac disease b. Weight loss c. Digestive disease that inhibits nutrient absorption d. Form of allergy What is Celiac Disease? a. Bacterial infection b. Autoimmune disease c. Digestive disease that inhibits nutrient absorption d. Form of allergy How likely are you to eat gluten-free foods if they were regularly available in the dining halls? If dining services offered gluten free food would you be likely to eat it? Y/N Figure 1: Survey used to assess student knowledge of the Gluten –Free diet and likelihood of eating Gluten-Free foods Assessing College Students Knowledge of the Gluten-Free Diet and its Intended Purpose as the Treatment of Celiac Disease M. Schlitt, Undergraduate Nutrition Major, Rutgers University; J. McKinley, Undergraduate Nutrition Major, Rutgers University; N. Corres, Undergraduate Nutrition Major, Rutgers University; S. Khan, Undergraduate Nutrition Major, Rutgers University; M. Tursi, Undergraduate Nutrition Major, Rutgers University; P. Policastro, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Specialist, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University