Overweight and Physical Inactivity Among African American Students at a Historically Black University

Abstract

Background: Little is known about correlates of overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity among African American students at historically Black colleges and universities. Objective: To assess overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity among African American college students at a historically Black university in Maryland in the USA. Methods: Data were collected from 268 African American college students in 2013. Data were analyzed with percentage difference z-tests, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression. Design: Cross-sectional survey (student response rate = 49.9%). Results: The overweight/obesity rate of participants was 47.5%, which was higher than that of the U.S. college student population overall (34.1%) and a representative sample of African American college students (38.3%). When age and sex were controlled, a family history of obesity, skipping breakfast, drinking caffeinated drinks, lower family income, and smoking a pipe, cigars, or cigarettes daily were significant correlates of overweight (obesity included). The percentage of physical inactivity was 68.3, and physical inactivity was higher among women and overweight or obese students. Conclusion: Given the high overweight and obesity prevalence among African American college students, historically Black colleges and universities in the USA should increase health promotion efforts targeting weight-related behaviors, particularly physical activity.