title: Weight and weight-related behaviors among 2-year college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVES AND PARTICIPANTS: The purpose of this article is to describe weight indicators and weight-related behaviors of students enrolled in 2-year colleges, including sex differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  During Fall 2011 and Spring 2012, 441 students from 3 Minnesota community colleges enrolled in the Choosing Healthy Options in College Environments and Settings (CHOICES) Study and completed baseline assessments. Participants completed a baseline survey evaluating eating and activity patterns, sleep, and stress and measures of height, weight, waist circumference, and body fat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were primarily female (68%), white (73%), with a mean age of 22.8 years, and 66.2% reporting an annual income < $12,000. Almost half (47%) were overweight or obese. Young males appeared to engage the most in risky health behaviors and had higher levels of overweight or obesity, compared with young females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings confirm the need for innovative interventions targeting this understudied and underserved young adult population.
authors.forename: Marilyn S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nanney
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lytle
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farbakhsh
authors.forename: Stacey G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: Jolynn K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Melissa N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Laska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D009043:Motor Activity; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends
keywords: community college students; obesity-related; weight; young adults