Term of Award
Fall 2005
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Committee Chair
Anthony V. Parrillo
Committee Member 1
Stuart H. Tedders
Committee Member 2
Steve Elliott
Committee Member 3
Padmini Shankar
Committee Member 3 Email
pshankar@georgiasouthern.edu
Abstract
This study examined relationships between receipt of health information, body mass index (BMI), and dietary and physical activity behaviors in a sample of university students (n=1,799). A cross-sectional design assessed health-risk behaviors. Students were placed into dichotomous categories related to receipt of health information, then grouped by risk and non-risk for each dependent behavioral variable; descriptive statistics were then generated. Odds ratios assessed relationships between receipt of health information and activity, diet, and nutrition for normal-weight and overweight students; odds ratios also assessed associations between BMI and diet and activity behaviors. Post-hoc analyses were also conducted. Students who received health information were more likely to: attempt weight-loss; diet; exercise at recommended levels; and eat well. Normal-weight students behaved more optimally than overweight students after receiving health information. Health messages may provide limited benefits regarding health-promoting behaviors; information should be but one component of a comprehensive strategy to target high-risk students.
Recommended Citation
Meadows, Julianne M., "Receipt of Health Information, Body Mass Index, And Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors Among University Students" (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 628.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/628
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
