300442
Social Cognitive Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in College Students
Methods: The tool measured four SCT constructs for predicting four modifiable behavioral determinants of college student obesity (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, sugar-free beverage consumption, and screen time). Self-reported body mass index was collected to model body composition. Instrumentation development included face and content validity by a panel of six experts. Construct and predictive validity of the instrument was assessed through structural equation modeling. Significance levels for direct path coefficients were set a priori at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: The sample exceeded the recommended 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (M=76.07); however, screen time exceeded the recommended limit of four hours per day (M=538.16). Sugar-free beverage to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption ratio was at 2.7:1. Fruit and vegetable consumption (M=3.04) fell below the recommended five cups per day. Mean self-reported BMI of the sample was normal at 23.63. Stratified by BMI qualitative cut points, 1% were severely underweight, 5% were underweight, 61% were normal weight, 26% were overweight, and 8% were obese. Each of the four structural models met the acceptable a priori goodness-of-fit indices.
Conclusion: SCT is a useful framework for measuring and predicting determinants of college student obesity. Interventions aimed at college students should focus on reducing screen time and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practicePlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Define four primary determinants of college student obesity.
Describe the process of developing an instrument that incorporates social cognitive theory constructs for predicting obesity in college students.
Design a social cognitive theory-based educational intervention that will promote physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, sugar-free beverage consumption, and reduced screen time.
Keyword(s): College Students, Obesity
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved with various studies focusing on overweight and obesity in children and college students. Among my specific interests are the development and implementation of theory-based interventions for increasing physical and mental health in college students.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.