Abstract
Objective
Identify weight-related beliefs of college students and test the predictive power
of the Health Belief Model for body mass index (BMI).
Design
Cross-sectional online survey with beliefs measured on 5-point scales.
Setting
University in North Carolina.
Participants
Undergraduates (n = 516; 91.9%), females (n = 399; 71.3%), white non-Hispanic students
(n = 507; 86.2%), and 20.3% of overweight or obese status.
Variables Measured
Perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, benefits, and internal and external
cues to action.
Analysis
One-way ANOVA and regression. Significance was P < .05.
Results
Strongest beliefs concerned benefits of healthy eating and physical activity (mean,
4.1 ± 0.7); weakest beliefs concerned barriers to adopting such behaviors (mean, 2.6 ± 0.9).
The regression model was statistically significant (P < .001) and explained 17% of variance in BMI (multivariate coefficient = 0.177).
Perceived severity, susceptibility, external cues, barriers, and benefits predicted
BMI.
Conclusions and Implications
Several beliefs were identified that could serve as the basis for weight-related interventions
addressing specific concerns, needs, and goals of college students.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 30, 2017
Accepted:
September 18,
2017
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
