Are collegiate athletes as healthy as we think they are?

Abstract

The current study compared multiple health-risk behaviors, self-efficacy, and temptation between young adult athletes and nonathletes. Cross-sectional data were collected via a web-based survey. Participants included nonathletes and Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes attending a midwestern university. Multiple health-risk behaviors existed at a high prevalence among participating athletes and nonathletes, with a slightly higher proportion of nonathletes reporting more risk. Twenty-two percent of participating athletes were at risk for excessive screen time, whereas 36% of nonathletes were at risk for the same. A higher proportion of athletes were at risk for inadequate sleep (58%) compared with nonathletes (33%). Ninety-eight percent of nonathletes were at risk for inadequate vegetable intake, whereas 96% of athletes were at risk for the same. Risk for low fruit intake was highest among nonathletes (81%) compared with athletes (77%). Future research targeting collegiate athletes’ multiple health behavior is warranted.