Gambling as an emerging health problem on campus.
OBJECTIVE
The authors documented the prevalence of gambling and correlates to health among undergraduates.


METHODS
The authors analyzed data from a health-habit questionnaire (gambling questions included) given to students enrolled in a university-required course.


RESULTS
Gambling and problems with gambling were more frequent among men than women regardless of venue. Athletes more frequently bet on sports and played games of chance, had gambling debt, and sought help for gambling than did nonathletes. More than 50% of fraternity members gambled and had a higher prevalence of gambling debt than did other men. Several gambling practices were correlated with failure to use seatbelts, driving or riding with someone under the influence, and using drugs (including cigarettes). Twice as many students who had gambling problems reported considering or attempting suicide than did those who did not report gambling problems, and gambling was correlated with depression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that gambling is correlated with high-risk health behaviors and indicates the need for intervention for college students with gambling problems.
Stuhldreher
Wendy L
WL
Department of Health and Safety, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, USA. Wendy.Stuhldreher@sru.edu
Stuhldreher
Thomas J
TJ
Forrest
Kimberly Y-Z
KY
D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*