Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess students' risk factors for type II diabetes at a Midwest public university. It further examined students' perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy of the disease. The design of the cross-sectional study was based on risk factors for type II diabetes listed by the American Diabetes Association and the Health Belief Model's constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and self-efficacy. A survey was distributed to non-diabetic college students aged 18 and older enrolled in general education courses at a Midwest public university. A purposive sampling of 432 students enrolled in Health 101 and Psychology 101 at Minnesota State University, Mankato was used in this study. The survey included questions on risk factors for type II diabetes, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and self-efficacy toward the disease. Data analysis showed the most common risk factors for type II diabetes among college students were lack of physical activity, increased body mass index, and an apple body shape. Males possessed more risk factors than females. Findings from the study in relation to the Health Belief Model's perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy showed that on a group level, participants with more risk factors for type II diabetes perceived themselves as more susceptible to the disease, and participants with familial history of type II diabetes perceived the seriousness of the disease at the same level as those with no family history. As for the Health Belief Model's construct of self-efficacy, nearly three-quarters of the participants felt confident that they can prevent type II diabetes.
Advisor
Amy S. Hedman
Committee Member
Stephen E. Bohnenblust
Committee Member
Angela L. Monson
Date of Degree
2011
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Health Science
College
Allied Health and Nursing
Recommended Citation
Ferrian, N. D. (2011). Assessing students' risk factors for type II diabetes at a Midwest public university. [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/59/
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