Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100855

Troy Adams, PhD, Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University, 7350 E Unity Drive, Mesa, AZ 85212, 480 727 1958, troy.adams@asu.edu

Undergraduate students double their credit card debt and triple their number of credit cards by graduation. Research suggests that several factors are associated with this trend. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether high-risk health behaviors would predict levels of credit card debt. A retrospective design with cross-sectional analysis of existing data was used. A sample of 45,213 U.S. college students during the Spring 2002 and 2003 semesters was employed. Predominant sample characteristics were: 19 year old (24%, mean 20.3 ± 1.37), first year (29.5%) single (57.6%), white (77%), female (65%), full-time students (96.8%), who did not work for pay (39.6%), lived in a residence hall (41.1%), and maintained a B average (54%). Data were taken from the American College Health Association, National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Several ordinal regression models, which corresponded with high priority health issues among college students, were employed. Students with high levels of credit card debt were more likely to have: been physically abused, smoked cigarettes, driven after drinking, felt exhausted or depressed, had a higher BMI, an older age, worked more hours each week, had a lower GPA. The findings support the notion that high-risk health and credit behaviors are related in meaningful ways. Further research could clarify the nature of this relationship.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will understand the origin and content of the ACHA survey.
• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will be able to articulate why an understanding of the association between credit card debt and other risk factors is important.
• At the conclusion of this session, all participants will be able to identify which risk factors are associated with high levels of credit card debt.

Keywords: Health Behavior, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.