Health information sources accessed by college females: differences between body-image distorted and non-body-image distorted.
This study examined and compared sources of health-related information accessed by female college students with and without body image distortions, and the believability of those sources. Survey data from the American College Health Association, National College Health Assessment were studied retrospectively (N = 27,648). Body image distorted (BID) and non-BID students' most frequent health information sources were parents (76.1% BID; 77.1% non-BID) and internet (70.3% BID; 69.5% non-BID). Believability was greatest for health educators (90.6% BID; 91.1% non-BID) and lowest for television (14.4% BID; 14.5% non-BID). Health intervention strategies for college women should market to parents and teach recognition of credible internet sources of health information.
Nustad
Jill
J
Department of Exercise Science, University of Mary, 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504, USA. jnustad@umary.edu
Adams
Troy
T
Moore
Monique
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D010290:Parents; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult