The City University of New York (CUNY) diabetes risk study: Perceptions of a multi-ethnic college population
Item
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Title
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The City University of New York (CUNY) diabetes risk study: Perceptions of a multi-ethnic college population
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:1e6a383023d8:11197
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identifier
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11546
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Creator
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Mongiello, Lorraine,
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Contributor
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Nicholas Freudenberg | Arlene Spark
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Date
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2012
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Public health | Nutrition | college students | diabetes risk | diet | exercise barriers | focus groups | risk perception
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Abstract
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Background and Problem: College years are the time when many form detrimental health behaviors that increase diabetes risk. An understanding of students' perceptions about their risk is necessary to determine how best to address issues of healthy eating and physical activity at CUNY.;Methods and Objectives: Quantitative data from a student health survey (n=1,579) and qualitative analysis of five student focus groups (n=53) were used to achieve the study's objectives which were to determine the prevalence of risk factors for diabetes overall and by selected characteristics and to ascertain perceptions of diabetes risk, the level of diabetes risk knowledge and the presence of self-efficacy. Additionally, this study aimed to identify individual, community and institutional barriers which students face that limit their ability to adapt a healthy lifestyle.;Results: Approximately 40% of students were identified as being at high risk for diabetes; these students were significantly more likely to attended a two-year college (p=.002), be older (p=.048) and have a lower income (p<.001). Of the high risk students, 39% did not recognize their risk. These students were more likely to be male (p=.010), be an immigrant (p<.001) and not report a family history of diabetes (p=.029). Blacks had the highest number of risk factors followed by Hispanics and Asians. On average, the students were able to identity only three of 10 well established diabetes risk factors. Few were aware of the increased diabetes risk among non-white populations and Asian students were the least likely to perceive the risk associated with their race. Students born outside the country were less active than their native-born counterparts (p<.001), as were women (p<.001) and Asian students (p=.030). Interpersonal and intrapersonal factors, primarily lack of time, but also lack of motivation and lack of social support were the reasons most students cited for lack of exercise while the campus environment emerged as the primary theme for poor food choices in the focus groups.;Conclusions: CUNY administrators and policymakers must make diabetes prevention a priority as the university is an ideal setting to provide the multi-level interventions needed to reduce the future burden of diabetes in NYC.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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D.P.H.
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Program
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Public Health
