Examining Perceived Susceptibility of Illness and Health Protective Behaviors Among Emerging Adults with Familial Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a lifelong chronic illness influenced by both genetic and behavioral risk factors.Although children of parents with T2DM are at significantly greater risk for developing the disease than age-matched controls (Valdez, Yoon, Liu, & Khoury, 2007), there is a dearth of research examining the factors that influence their perceptions of their own risk for the illness and their likelihood to engage in health risk and protective behaviors.In this descriptive cross-sectional survey study, we recruited university students (N = 197, 86% Caucasian, 66% female, average 19±1.6 years old) to examine factors associated with perceived susceptibility of T2DM and engagement in health protective behaviors in young adult college students with (N = 66) or without a parent/grandparent (N = 131) diagnosed with T2DM.Consistent with hypotheses, individuals with familial risk for T2DM were more likely to report greater own absolute risk and direct comparative risk of developing T2DM than individuals without familial risk for T2DM.However, contrary to hypotheses, no differences in physical activity, healthy diet, and sugar sweetened beverage consumption were found between the two groups.Further, contrary to expectations, both greater own absolute risk of developing T2DM and greater direct comparative risk of developing T2DM were associated with being less likely to have a healthy diet, less likely to engage in regular physical activity, and more likely to consume sugary drinks.Results may provide a better
Author: Bonita Sur
Institution: Ohio University
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2613084001