
ERIC Number: EJ725694
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Sep-1
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
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Available Date: N/A
Weight-Related Issues and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among College Students
Eisenberg, Marla E.; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Lust, Katherine D.
Journal of American College Health, v54 n2 p95 Sep 2005
Individuals with high body mass index (BMI), negative body image, and unhealthy weight control behaviors may be more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors than others. Researchers have not fully investigated these relationships in a sample of college students. The authors collected data regarding several weight-related issues and high-risk sexual behaviors (response rate = 39%) from 1,168 college students. Over half reported at least 1 high-risk sexual behavior. After the authors controlled for several demographic characteristics, they found that higher BMIs were associated with increased odds of having a casual sexual partner (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70) and being intoxicated at last intercourse (OR = 2.25). Among women, unhealthy weight control behaviors were associated with having a casual partner (OR = 2.12), using no or unreliable contraception (OR = 1.98), and being intoxicated at last intercourse (OR = 2.31). Weight-related issues were not associated with sexual behaviors among college men. The authors describe their findings within two health behavior frameworks, and they discuss implications for research and health education. (Contains 1 note.)
Descriptors: College Students, Health Behavior, Sexuality, Body Composition, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Gender Differences, Disease Control, High Risk Students, Student Behavior
Heldref Publications, Helen Dwight Reid Educational Foundation, 1319 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1802. Web site: http://www.heldref.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A