title: Health Profiles of Allied Health Students Enrolled in a Faith-Based University.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore the health profiles of students at a faith-based university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using a modified version of the Health Lifestyle Enhancement Profile (HELP) and HELP-Screener. Participants were 323 undergraduate and graduate allied health students, of whom 64% were female and 36% male, with ages ranging from 19 to 51 years. Associations between variables were explored and a two-step cluster analysis was applied to the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that 34.1% of students perceived their health as excellent and 57.2% as good. It was also detected that high ratings of health were positively correlated with high ratings of happiness. Further, students who reported frequent exercise and a healthy diet scored more favorably across all measures of health in comparison to those who reported less frequent exercise and poorer dietary habits. Descriptive analysis revealed that 46.6% of students identified having at least one health problem, with back and neck pain being the most prevalent. Less than half of the study sample reported monitoring their health regularly, avoiding unhealthy foods, avoiding sedentary activities, and engaging in community activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considerations for future university-based interventions to support students' health at faith-based institutions are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Dep. of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. Tel 909-558-4628, fax 909-558-0239. dkrpalek@llu.edu.
authors.forename: Dragana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krpalek
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Javaherian-Dysinger
authors.forename: Liane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hewitt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012067:Religion; D057566:Self Report; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult