College students\u27 health behavior clusters: Differences by sex

Objective: The study purpose was to identify clusters of weight-related behaviors by sex in a college student populations. Methods: We conducted secondary data analysis from online surveys and physical assessments collected in Project Young Adults Eating and Active for Health (YEAH) with a convenience sample of students on 13 college campuses in the United States. We performed 2-step cluster analysis by sex to identify subgroups with homogeneous characteristics and behaviors. We used 8 derivation variables: healthy eating; eating restraints; external cues; stress; fruit/vegetable intake; calories from fat; calories from sugar-sweetened beverages; and physical activity. Contribution of derivation variables to clusters was analyzed with a MANOVA test. Results: Data from 1594 students were included. Cluster analysis revealed 2-clusters labeled Healthful Behavior and At-risk for males and females with an additional Laid Back cluster for males. At-risk clusters had the highest BMI, waist circumference, elevated health risk, and stress and least healthy dietary intake and physical activity. The Laid Back cluster had normal weights and the lowest restrained eating, external cues sensitivity, and stress. Conclusion: Identified differences in characteristics and attitudes towards weight-related behaviors between males and females can be used to tailor weight management programs

Survey development to assess college students’ perceptions of the campus environment

Objective: We developed and tested a College Environmental Perceptions Survey (CEPS) to assess college students’ perceptions of the healthfulness of their campus. Methods: CEPS was developed in 3 stages: questionnaire development, validity testing, and reliability testing. Questionnaire development was based on an extensive literature review and input from an expert panel to establish content validity. Face validity was established with the target population using cognitive interviews with 100 college students. Concurrent-criterion validity was established with in-depth interviews (N = 30) of college students compared to surveys completed by the same 30 students. Surveys completed by college students from 8 universities (N = 1147) were used to test internal structure (factor analysis) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Results: After development and testing, 15 items remained from the original 48 items. A 5-factor solution emerged: physical activity (4 items, a = .635), water (3 items, a = .773), vending (2 items, a = .680), healthy food (2 items, a = .631), and policy (2 items, a = .573). The mean total score for all universities was 62.71 (±11.16) on a 100-point scale. Conclusion: CEPS appears to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing college students’ perceptions of their health-related campus environment