ERIC Number: EJ1009994
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1066-8926
EISSN: N/A
Dietary Fat Intake and Exercise among Two- and Four-Year College Students: Differences in Behavior and Psychosocial Factors
Berg, Carla J.; An, Lawrence C.; Ahluwalia, Jasjit S.
Community College Journal of Research and Practice, v37 n5 p388-396 2013
Given the demographic differences among two-year colleges and four-year universities and the relatively limited access to health education and campus-based health resources, this study compares the frequency of limiting dietary fat intake and exercising among two- and four-year college students. A total of 2,265 undergraduate students aged 18-25 at a two-year college and a four-year university completed a 108-item online survey in October 2008. We found that two-year college students had less confidence, motivation, and intention to engage in healthy behaviors and reported fewer close friends who exercise regularly but more friends who eat high-fat foods. After controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and parental education, two-year (versus four-year) college students less frequently limited dietary fat (F(2,2227) = 21.64, "p" less than 0.001) and less frequently exercised [greater than or equal to] 20 minutes a day (F(5,2232) = 14.21, "p" less than 0.001). Thus, research should focus on developing interventions targeting the different psychosocial factors that influence nutrition and exercise among two-year college students. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Student Characteristics, Eating Habits, Dietetics, Exercise, Undergraduate Students, Self Esteem, Student Motivation, Intention, Health Behavior, Peer Influence, Intervention, Social Influences, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Racial Differences, Educational Attainment, Parents, Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A