Abstract
Objectives
The objective of this research was to compare health behavior differences between young adults who perceive their health as excellent or good and those who perceive their health as fair or poor.
Methods
A cross-sectional, convenience sample of college students was used for the study. Students were recruited via campus email and were asked to complete an online survey consisting of the Center for Disease Control's Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) modules, self-reported height and weight which was used to calculate body mass index (BMI), and a food frequency questionnaire to assess fruit and vegetable intake. Independent t-tests were used to assess differences between groups.
Results
Participants (N = 797) were 20 ± 1.4 years old, the majority were female (65.5%), and white (92.3%). The results showed that students who reported their health as “excellent, very good, or good” (n = 616) versus those that reported their health as “fair or poor” (n = 181) consumed more servings of fruit per day (0.84 ± 0.7 vs. 0.56 ± 0.5, P < 0.001), more servings of vegetables per day (1.6 ± 1.2 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, P < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (24.2 ± 4.1 vs. 26.1 ± 5.3, P < 0.001). They also had significantly better HRQOL, with reporting more days/month when they were in good physical health (3.9 ± 5.1 vs. 8.2 ± 8.4, P < 0.001), less days/month feeling depressed (6.7 ± 7.7 vs. 15.1 ± 10.4, P < 0.001), more days/month when they were happy/full of energy (12.7 ± 8.3 vs. 6.4 ± 6.1, P < 0.001), and less days/month when they did not get enough sleep (13.0 ± 9.0 vs. 17.8 ± 9.6, P < 0.001), respectively.
Conclusions
This data shows that students who perceived their general health to be excellent, very good, or good, reported healthier behaviors compared to students who perceived their health to be fair or poor. This research provides justification that college aimed health and wellness initiatives should focus on both mental and physical health of college students in order to shape positive behaviors that impact overall health-related quality of life.
Funding Sources
Bushway Research Fund, University of Maine.