1. Assessment of College Students’ Risk Level, Behaviors, Knowledge
and Attitude of Type 2 Diabetes at the University of Tampa
Donna Rauschuber, Josh Rodriguez, Dom Sestito, Christopher Campbell
University of Tampa Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance
• Little information exists on the social behavioral aspects of type 2
diabetes among college students. With cases of diagnosed
diabetes increasing in younger populations, it is vital to gain an
understanding of college students’ knowledge, attitudes and
behavior towards this chronic disease.
• Many students are unable to identify the cause of diabetes, and
while believing a healthy lifestyle is important cannot explain the
lifestyle necessary for disease prevention.
• Students tend to minimize the impact that behavioral risk factors
have on developing diabetes, making them less likely to
participate in behaviors needed for disease prevention.
• Using systematic sampling, researchers surveyed 91 students to
evaluate individual risk levels for type 2 diabetes.
• Survey questions were given point values and used to assess
low, intermediate, and high-risk levels.
• Additional questions on knowledge, attitudes and behavior
towards diabetes assessed the need for an awareness program.
• Using SPSS (ver. 22), researchers analyzed the descriptive
statistics and scored the students based on existing scales.
• Low risk was assigned a value of one, intermediate risk a value
of two, and high risk a value of three.
Findings suggest a considerable gap exists between the knowledge of
diabetes and its prevention among this sampling of college students.
Results also suggest that diabetes concern does not necessarily lead to
behavior modification needed for disease prevention. It is
recommended from these findings that universities and colleges
develop behavior change campaigns centered on type 2 diabetes
avoidance.
• Even though most of the students in this study showed only a low risk
for type 2 diabetes, some students did fall into the intermediate range.
Unless these students change their lifestyles, it is a good possibility that
they will eventually develop the disease.
• It is imperative to educate students about the possible future
consequences of their current actions.
• It is also important for them to know that type 2 diabetes is reversible
and lifestyle choices are necessary to make that happen.
- Please direct further questions to donna.rauschuber@spartans.ut.edu
This cross-sectional study assessed diabetes’ risk among college
students attending a liberal arts university as well as knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviors about type 2 diabetes. The point system used
for this survey was developed by the American Diabetes Association
and the Harvard School of Public health, and are commonly weighted
data points developed to determine the level of risk for acquiring type
2 diabetes.
• Risk levels ranged between low and intermediate, with no student
having a high-risk level.
• Scores were higher for men who averaged 1.143 (s = 0.354) while
women averaged 1.044 (s = 0.208).
• Scores were also higher for Black/African Americans who averaged
1.143 (s = 0.355) as opposed to White/Caucasians who averaged
1.050 (s = 0.221).
• Students’ percentages were very high regarding knowledge and
attitude of diabetes.
• Percentages for the questions regarding behavior were much lower,
except for physical activity.
Background Results Results Continued
Conclusion
Discussion
Purpose
Methods
90.1%
9.9%
Percentage of total students
expressing concern about diabetes.
Yes
No
Assessed Risk Levels
Male Female White Black
Mean 1.143 1.044 1.050 1.143
Std. Dev 0.354 0.208 0.221 0.355
Range 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
Male Female White Black
Student Knowledge and Attitude by Gender and Ethnicity
People get type 2 diabetes
because they are lazy and
eat too much.
Can type 2 diabetes be
prevented?
Can type 2 diabetes be
reversed through diet and
exercise?
Only people who are
overweight or obese get
type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a result of
chronically high blood sugar.
Can stress contribute to high
blood sugar?
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Male Female White Black
Student Behavior by Gender and Ethnicity
On an average day, do you eat 3 or
more servings of whole grains per
day?
On an average day, do you eat
more than 3 servings of refined
starch per day?
Do you eat oil-based salad dressing
or use liquid vegetable oil for
cooking on most days?
Do you walk continuously (or do
other moderate activity) for at
least 30 minutes on most days, or
at least 3 hours per week?