Publications : 2022

Jiang L, Cheskin L, Rana Z, Frankenfeld CL, Kennedy E, de Jonge E. 2022. Loneliness is associated with unhealthful dietary behaviors and physical inactivity among US college students. J Am Coll Health (Nov 17):1–6, DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2141060.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate dietary and physical activity behavior in relation to loneliness among college students. Participants: Three-hundred forty-six incoming first-year students in Fall 2019 at a large state University in the US. Methods: Students completed online surveys in Fall 2019. Multivariable regression analyses were used to model associations of health behaviors with loneliness, adjusting for gender and body mass index (BMI). Results: Two-hundred sixty-four students were included in this analysis. Students in loneliness score ranges of 4-6 and 7-9 have higher fat diet than students in score range of 10-12 (p = .007). Sedentary (19.2%) and low active (53.8%) behaviors were more frequent in students reporting high loneliness than those reporting low loneliness (13.8%, 36.7%, respectively) (p = .006). Conclusions: In this sample of college students, loneliness was related to altered diet quality and physical inactivity. Interventions to reduce loneliness may have a positive effect on health promotion in this population.