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The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges.

Publication ,  Journal Article
N Laska, M; Pasch, KE; Lust, K; Story, M; Ehlinger, E
Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring)
February 2011

The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity prevalence and weight-related behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity) differ among students enrolled in 2-year community/technical colleges and those attending 4-year colleges/universities. This information could inform the development of intervention strategies. Through an existing surveillance system of Minnesota postsecondary education institutions, survey data were collected from 16,539 students from 27 campuses (14 two-year college campuses, 13 four-year college/university campuses; 2007-2008), including self-reported physical activity, media use, dietary patterns, weight control behaviors, height, and weight. Unadjusted analyses indicated that students enrolled in 2-year colleges, particularly females, had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, lower levels of physical activity, more television viewing, higher intakes of soda, fast food, and diet pills compared to students attending 4-year colleges (P < 0.05). Females attending 4-year colleges were more likely to engage in certain unhealthy weight control behaviors (taking diet pills, binge eating, self-induced vomiting) compared to females attending 2-year institutions. Among male students there were fewer differences between 2-year and 4-year colleges. Controlling for sociodemographic factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, age), most disparities in prevalence estimates remained, though many were attenuated. Overall, few young adults engage in weight-related behaviors consistent with national recommendations. Two-year college students may represent a particularly at-risk group. Disparities between 2- and 4-year college students exist beyond the sociodemographic differences in these populations. Effective weight-related interventions are needed for young adults, particularly females attending 2-year colleges and all males attending postsecondary institutions.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

Publication Date

February 2011

Volume

19

Issue

2

Start / End Page

453 / 456

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Universities
  • Students
  • Sex Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Obesity
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
 

Citation

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N Laska, M., Pasch, K. E., Lust, K., Story, M., & Ehlinger, E. (2011). The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges. Obesity (Silver Spring), 19(2), 453–456. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2010.262
N Laska, Melissa, Keryn E. Pasch, Katherine Lust, Mary Story, and Ed Ehlinger. “The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges.Obesity (Silver Spring) 19, no. 2 (February 2011): 453–56. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2010.262.
N Laska M, Pasch KE, Lust K, Story M, Ehlinger E. The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Feb;19(2):453–6.
N Laska, Melissa, et al. “The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges.Obesity (Silver Spring), vol. 19, no. 2, Feb. 2011, pp. 453–56. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/oby.2010.262.
N Laska M, Pasch KE, Lust K, Story M, Ehlinger E. The differential prevalence of obesity and related behaviors in two- vs. four-year colleges. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Feb;19(2):453–456.
Journal cover image

Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

Publication Date

February 2011

Volume

19

Issue

2

Start / End Page

453 / 456

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Universities
  • Students
  • Sex Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Obesity
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior