Health, health behaviors, and medical care utilization among college students with obesity

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. 73; no. 2; pp. 496 - 502
• Main Authors: Hayes, Jacqueline F., LaRose, Jessica Gokee, Hutchinson, Katherine, Sutherland, Melissa A., Wing, Rena R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 07.02.2025; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Chronic illnesses; College students; Female; Health Behavior; health behaviors; Health problems; Health services utilization; Health Status; healthcare utilization; Humans; Male; Medical Services; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - psychology; Obesity - therapy; Physical activity; Polls & surveys; Student Behavior; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; United States - epidemiology; Universities - statistics & numerical data; Weight control; Weight loss; Young Adult; United States; College students; healthcare utilization; health behaviors; obesity
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2225629

Objective: The study assessed perceived health, health behaviors and conditions, and medical care utilization among students of different weight categories. Participants: Participants were college students (n = 37,583) from 58 institutions who responded to a national survey of student health behaviors. Methods: Chi-squared and mixed model analyses were completed. Results: Compared to healthy weight students, those with obesity were less likely to report excellent health and meet dietary and physical activity recommendations, and more likely to have obesity-related chronic conditions and to have attended a medical appointment in the prior 12 months. Students with obesity (84%) and overweight (70%) were more likely to be attempting weight loss compared to students of healthy weight (35%). Conclusions: Students with obesity have poorer health and health behaviors relative to students of healthy weight; students with overweight were in between. Adapting and implementing evidence-based weight management programs within colleges/universities may be beneficial for student health.