Gateway Health Behaviors in College Students: Investigating Transfer and Compensation Effects

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Gateway Health Behaviors in College Students: Investigating Transfer and Compensation Effects
Language: English
Authors: Nigg, Claudio Renato, Lee, Hye-ryeon, Hubbard, Amy E., Min-Sun, Kim
Source: Journal of American College Health. Jul-Aug 2009 58(1):39-44.
Availability: Heldref Publications. 1319 Eighteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-1802. Tel: 800-365-9753; Tel: 202-296-6267; Fax: 202-293-6130; e-mail: subscribe@heldref.org; Web site: http://www.heldref.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2009
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: College Students, Physical Activity Level, Smoking, Public Health, Health Behavior, Drinking, Risk, Intervention, Surveys
Geographic Terms: Hawaii
DOI: 10.3200/JACH.58.1.39-44
ISSN: 0744-8481
Abstract: Objective: There is a dearth of studies on the mechanisms of multiple risk behaviors, even though these behaviors are significant public health issues. The authors investigated whether health behavior interventions have transfer or compensatory effects on other health behaviors. Participants and Methods: The authors looked at transfer and compensation effects of 3 health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity) in a sample of college students aged 18 to 25 years (N = 973; 84% born in the United States; 50% female; 25% Japanese, 19% Caucasian, 16% mixed). Results: The study revealed the following evidence for transfer effects: (1) nonsmokers consume less alcohol, (2) regularly active people smoke less, and (3) nondrinkers smoke less. The authors also found the following compensation effects: (1) regularly active people consume alcohol more frequently; and (2) alcohol drinkers are more active. Conclusions: Interventions involving college students' smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity need to take into account both transfer and compensation considerations to maximize health impacts. (Contains 3 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 29
Entry Date: 2009
Accession Number: EJ847495
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Objective: There is a dearth of studies on the mechanisms of multiple risk behaviors, even though these behaviors are significant public health issues. The authors investigated whether health behavior interventions have transfer or compensatory effects on other health behaviors. Participants and Methods: The authors looked at transfer and compensation effects of 3 health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity) in a sample of college students aged 18 to 25 years (N = 973; 84% born in the United States; 50% female; 25% Japanese, 19% Caucasian, 16% mixed). Results: The study revealed the following evidence for transfer effects: (1) nonsmokers consume less alcohol, (2) regularly active people smoke less, and (3) nondrinkers smoke less. The authors also found the following compensation effects: (1) regularly active people consume alcohol more frequently; and (2) alcohol drinkers are more active. Conclusions: Interventions involving college students' smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity need to take into account both transfer and compensation considerations to maximize health impacts. (Contains 3 tables.)
ISSN:0744-8481
DOI:10.3200/JACH.58.1.39-44