Perceptions About Overweight And Obesity Among College Students: Application Of The Health Belief Model

Rates of overweight/obesity among U.S. college students are increasing. This cross-sectional survey study assessed the perceived weight status and weight-related beliefs of 560 undergraduate and graduate students (399 females, 71.8% and 158 males, 28.4%) attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina during the 2015-2016 academic year. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the framework for data analysis. Surveys were administered using Qualtrics survey software. Items assessed perceived body weight, perceived susceptibility and severity of becoming overweight/obese, and perceived barriers, benefits, and cues to action to adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits. The results of this study suggested that 196 students (22.7%) perceived themselves as overweight, while 27 students (3.1%) perceived themselves as obese. The students' mean score on the perceived severity scale was 3.8 points (± 0.8) out of a possible five points, while their mean score on the perceived susceptibility scale was 3.5 points (± 0.9). Barriers from the practical concerns subscale received the greatest number of 4 and 5 ratings, indicating that these were perceived as stronger obstacles for adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits. Benefits from the emotional/mental health subscale received the greatest number of 4 and 5 ratings, indicating that they were perceived as more desirable outcomes from adopting healthy habits. Nutrition education interventions for college students should assist with managing emotional/mental health problems, emphasize the benefits of practicing healthy eating and physical activity habits for long-term health promotion, and teach skill-building for overcoming perceived barriers to adopting healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors.