Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Threat Appraisal on Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors among Overweight and Obese College Students.

Objective: We examined the impact of threat appraisal (TA) on Type 2 diabetes (T2D)-related protective behaviors among high-risk college students.
Methods: Using a Web-based survey, we collected data from 319 overweight or obese undergraduate students attending one of 4 Texas colleges/universities. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses determined the association between the outcome variable, fruits and vegetables (F&V) consumption and physical activity (PA), and TA.
Results: Demographic characteristics were entered at step 1, explaining 7% of variance in F&V consumption and 6% in PA. After TA was entered in block 2, the total variance explained changed by only .008% for F&V consumption and .009% for PA.
Conclusions: TA did not predict T2D protective behaviors and reduced variability in the model. Being female, as well as having a T2D family history, was significantly associated with increased TA. Results can inform the planning, implementing, and evaluating of health promotion programs.