Abstract
BackgroundYoung adults experience many adverse health behavior changes as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. A better understanding of the relationships between health promoting and risky health behaviors may aid in the development of health promotion interventions for various types of young adult post-secondary students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine associations between alcohol and tobacco use and physical activity among 2-year and 4-year college students.MethodsCross-sectional analyses were conducted using 2007 survey data, collected as part of an on-going post-secondary health surveillance system in Minnesota. Students were randomly selected to participant from 14 Minnesota colleges and universities (six 2-year community and/or technical colleges, eight 4-year post-secondary institutions). The 2007 surveillance data included 9,931 respondents.ResultsThe prevalence of demographic characteristics and health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, tobacco use) differed between young adults attending 2-year and 4-year post-secondary institutions; in general, those attending 2-year institutions are representative of more at-risk populations. Overall, higher levels of moderate, vigorous and strengthening physical activity were associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption and lower levels of smoking. In general, despite the disparities in the prevalence of these risk behaviors, the associations between the behaviors did not differ substantially between 2-year and 4-year post-secondary populations.ConclusionsThese findings illustrate links between leading risk behaviors. Interventions targeting multiple risk behaviors among young adults may warrant further consideration. Overall, future research is needed to support and inform young adult health promotion efforts that may be implemented in a wide array of post-secondary institutions.
Highlights
Young adults experience many adverse health behavior changes as they transition from adolescence into adulthood
In conclusion, there appears to be a positive association between alcohol use and physical activity (PA) and an inverse association between tobacco use and PA among college students
The prevalence of health behaviors varied between 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions, the magnitude and direction of these associations largely did not differ by school type
Summary
Young adults experience many adverse health behavior changes as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. Alcohol use is notably high among young adult post-secondary students [9], with college students being at greater risk of binge drinking than those of the same age who do not attend college [10]. Previous research has found that 41.5% of U.S college students, ages 18-24 years, reported binge drinking at least once in the previous 30 days [11]. Together, these factors underscore the current multifaceted health concerns for young adults in the U.S
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