Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session II, Friday, March 16, 2007, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area II


Smoking Characteristics of College Students with Respect to College Major and Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics

Michelle L. D'Abundo, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, Laura Marinaro, University of Akron, Akron, OH and Kelly Fiala, Kent State University, Kent, OH

Research on tobacco use and college students has found that physical activity may protect against the uptake and progression of smoking behaviors while other lifestyle factors such as alcohol and drug use increase the likelihood of smoking (Emmons et al, 1998; Patterson et al, 2004). The purpose of this study was to identify the demographics of undergraduate smokers and non-smokers enrolled at a mid-sized Mid-Atlantic university. Students enrolled in a required fitness and wellness course were invited to take part in the study. Of the 656 eligible students, 510 chose to participate (77.7%). As part of a larger online study, respondents completed a demographic survey. The data was evaluated to determine whether smoking status was associated with gender, age, major, year in school, or status as a varsity intercollegiate athlete. Prior to the analysis being conducted, majors were re-grouped as being physical health-related (Nursing, Athletic Training, Physical Education, Health Education, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy) or not health-related. An independent t-test was used to assess mean differences in age on smoking status. Chi-square analyses were conducted on nominal data [gender (male/female), major (health-related/not health-related), athlete (yes/no), and year (freshman/sophomore/junior/senior)] to assess their effect on smoking status (smoker/non-smoker). All statistical tests were considered significant at the p<0.05 level. All statistics were run using SPSS 14.0. There were no significant differences between smokers (20.2±2.1) and non-smokers (20.1±3.4) with respect to age, p> 0.05. Chi-square analysis revealed that major, year in school, and athlete status were related to smoking status (p<0.05), while gender was unrelated (p>0.05). Of the general study population, 23% reported being smokers, while only 2.7% of the athletic subset reported smoking. Study participants who were enrolled in physical health-related majors (11.8% smokers) were half as likely to be smokers when compared to participants in other majors (23.3% smokers). While smoking rates in underclassmen were under 20% (18.5% of freshmen, 18.1% of sophomores), the rates for upperclassmen approached 30% (29.4% of juniors, 29.8% of seniors). The onset of smoking between underclassmen and upperclassmen status in this study indicates the need for smoking education and prevention activities in college populations. Furthermore, students enrolled in physical health-related majors were significantly less likely to smoke. These results indicate being in an environment where health is valued (such as a health major or athletic involvement) may reduce smoking rates in college populations.
Keyword(s): college level issues, disease prevention/wellness, health education college/univ

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