Variability in measures of health and health behavior among emerging adults 1 year after high school according to college status.
To examine changes in health behaviors among US emerging adults 1 year after high school.



The national sample of participants (N = 1,927), including those attending 4-year college/university (n = 884), 2-year colleges/technical schools (n = 588), and no college (n = 455), participated in annual spring surveys 2013-2014.



Health behaviors were assessed the last year of high school and first year of college; differences by college status controlling for previous-year values were estimated using regression analyses.



Relative to 4-year college attendees, those attending technical school/community college were less likely to binge drink (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-0.86) but more likely to speed (OR = 1.26, CI = 1.0-2.84), consume sodas (OR = 1.57, CI = 1.0-2.47), and report lower family satisfaction (p < .01), with marginally more physical and depressive symptoms. College nonattendees reported more DWI (driving while intoxicated; OR = 1.60, CI = 1.05-2.47), soda drinking (OR = 2.51, CI = 1.76-3.59), oversleeping (OR = 4.78, CI = 3.65-8.63), and less family satisfaction (p < .04).



Health risk behaviors among emerging adults varied by college status.
a Health Behavior Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Bruce
B
Simons-Morton
a Health Behavior Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Denise
D
Haynie
a Health Behavior Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Fearghal
F
O'Brien
a Health Behavior Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Leah
L
Lipsky
b Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Joe
J
Bible
b Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Branch , Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
Danping
D
Liu
D000066448:Driving Under the Influence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
College health; college students; diet; driving; exercise; mental health; physical health; substance use
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