ERIC Number: EJ1045617
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 41
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
A Latent Class Analysis of Weight-Related Health Behaviors among 2-and 4-Year College Students and Associated Risk of Obesity
Mathur, Charu; Stigler, Melissa; Lust, Katherine; Laska, Melissa
Health Education & Behavior, v41 n6 p663-672 Dec 2014
Little is known about the complex patterning of weight-related health behaviors in 2-and 4-year college students. The objective of this study was to identify and describe unique classes of weight-related health behaviors among college students. Latent class analysis was used to identify homogenous, mutually exclusive classes of nine health behaviors that represent multiple theoretically/clinically relevant dimensions of obesity risk among 2-versus 4-year college students using cross-sectional statewide surveillance data (N = 17,584). Additionally, differences in class membership on selected sociodemographic characteristics were examined using a model-based approach. Analysis was conducted separately for both college groups, and five and four classes were identified for 2-and 4-year college students, respectively. Four classes were similar across 2-and 4-year college groups and were characterized as "mostly healthy dietary habits, active"; "moderately high screen time, active"; "moderately healthy dietary habits, inactive"; and "moderately high screen time, inactive." "Moderately healthy dietary habits, high screen time" was the additional class unique to 2-year college students. These classes differed on a number of sociodemographic characteristics, including the proportion in each class who were classified as obese. Implications for prevention scientists and future intervention programs are considered.
Descriptors: Body Weight, Health Behavior, College Students, Two Year College Students, At Risk Persons, Obesity, Classification, Comparative Analysis, Socioeconomic Status, Models, Eating Habits, Physical Activity Level, Life Style, Television Viewing, Surveys, Student Characteristics, Racial Differences, Video Games, Drinking, Statistical Analysis, Parent Background, Educational Attainment
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Minnesota
IES Grant or Contract Numbers: K07CA126837

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