Factors Related to Longitudinal Patterns of Multiple Health Behaviors in Chinese Freshmen

Abstract

Students with multiple health risk behaviors (HRB) have increased amount of research attention. The study aimed to examine the multiple health behaviors and whether these behaviors differ by demographic characteristics and social factors in a 1-year follow-up study among 1,989 students. All the measures were from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Associations between demographic characteristics/social factors and multiple HRB were examined by logistic regression models. Binary logistic models indicated that females had generally higher odds of physical inactivity but lower odds of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, suicide attempt, and breakfast skipping. Students more than 18 years had higher odds of cigarette smoking. Physical inactivity was negatively correlated with playing school sports teams and taking extracurricular activities. Students with screen time >2 hr/d were more likely to be with physical inactivity or alcohol drinking. Logistic regression models showed that males showed higher odds of two, three, and four to six HRB at 3T. Not taking part in school sports teams/extracurricular activities and screen time >2 hr/d at baseline were risk factors of multiple HRB. Our results reveal a close association between youth risk behaviors and demographic characteristics/social factors. Health promotion interventions of co-occurred behavior should be conducted at schools.