Assessing Students\u27 Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes at a Midwest Public University

The purpose of this study was to assess students\u27 risk factors for type II diabetes at a Midwest public university. It further examined students\u27 perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy of the disease. The design of the cross-sectional study was based on risk factors for type II diabetes listed by the American Diabetes Association and the Health Belief Model\u27s constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and self-efficacy. A survey was distributed to non-diabetic college students aged 18 and older enrolled in general education courses at a Midwest public university. A purposive sampling of 432 students enrolled in Health 101 and Psychology 101 at Minnesota State University, Mankato was used in this study. The survey included questions on risk factors for type II diabetes, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and self-efficacy toward the disease. Data analysis showed the most common risk factors for type II diabetes among college students were lack of physical activity, increased body mass index, and an apple body shape. Males possessed more risk factors than females. Findings from the study in relation to the Health Belief Model\u27s perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy showed that on a group level, participants with more risk factors for type II diabetes perceived themselves as more susceptible to the disease, and participants with familial history of type II diabetes perceived the seriousness of the disease at the same level as those with no family history. As for the Health Belief Model\u27s construct of self-efficacy, nearly three-quarters of the participants felt confident that they can prevent type II diabetes