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Erschienen in: Prevention Science 4/2009

01.12.2009

Latent Class Analysis of Lifestyle Characteristics and Health Risk Behaviors among College Youth

verfasst von: Melissa Nelson Laska, Keryn E. Pasch, Katherine Lust, Mary Story, Ed Ehlinger

Erschienen in: Prevention Science | Ausgabe 4/2009

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Abstract

Few studies have examined the context of a wide range of risk behaviors among emerging adults (ages 18–25 years), approximately half of whom in the USA enroll in post-secondary educational institutions. The objective of this research was to examine behavioral patterning in weight behaviors (diet and physical activity), substance use, sexual behavior, stress, and sleep among undergraduate students. Health survey data were collected among undergraduates attending a large, public US university (n = 2,026). Latent class analysis was used to identify homogeneous, mutually exclusive “classes” (patterns) of ten leading risk behaviors. Resulting classes differed for males and females. Female classes were defined as: (1) poor lifestyle (diet, physical activity, sleep), yet low-risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, binge drinking, sexual risk, drunk driving; 40.0% of females), (2) high risk (high substance use, intoxicated sex, drunk driving, poor diet, inadequate sleep) (24.3%), (3) moderate lifestyle, few risk behaviors (20.4%), (4) “health conscious” (favorable diet/physical activity with some unhealthy weight control; 15.4%). Male classes were: (1) poor lifestyle, low risk (with notably high stress, insufficient sleep, 9.2% of males), (2) high risk (33.6% of males, similar to class 2 in females), (3) moderate lifestyle, low risk (51.0%), and (4) “classic jocks” (high physical activity, binge drinking, 6.2%). To our knowledge, this is among the first research to examine complex lifestyle patterning among college youth, particularly with emphasis on the role of weight-related behaviors. These findings have important implications for targeting much needed health promotion strategies among emerging adults and college youth.
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Metadaten
Titel
Latent Class Analysis of Lifestyle Characteristics and Health Risk Behaviors among College Youth
verfasst von
Melissa Nelson Laska
Keryn E. Pasch
Katherine Lust
Mary Story
Ed Ehlinger
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2009
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Prevention Science / Ausgabe 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1389-4986
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6695
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-009-0140-2

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