Title

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Binge Drinking Among College Students: A Qualitative Investigation

Authors

Brent M. Peterson, Biola University

School/Department

School of Science Technology and Health

Publication Date

9-29-2017

Abstract

• ABSTRACT
• Background
• Purpose
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Translation to Health Education Practice
• References

Research Article

The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Binge Drinking Among College Students: A Qualitative Investigation

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ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Background: Among college students, an incongruous association between physical activity (PA) and binge drinking (BD) has been reported. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the relationship between PA and BD among college students. Methods: A trained facilitator asked open-ended questions, based on the social–ecological model, during sex-specific focus groups to inquire about PA and BD. Participants were physically active students (18–24 years, non-varsity athletes), who reported at least one binge drinking episode in the past 30 days. Transcripts were analyzed by 3 researchers to determine emergent themes. Results: Several intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and community factors were identified. The most frequently occurring theme among females (n = 25) was “calorie conscious.” “Damage control: healthy/unhealthy” was the most frequent theme/subtheme among males (n = 33). Discussion: The findings suggest multiple social–ecological levels that influence the complex relationship between PA and BD in college students. Although additional research is warranted, results of this study suggest that community-level factors greatly influence several intrapersonal and interpersonal level factors described by participants. Translation to Health Education Practice: It is imperative that Health Education professionals consider all social–ecological levels of influence when developing interventions and policies to promote PA and reduce BD among college students.

Keywords

Binge drinking; College students

Publication Title

American Journal of Health Education

Volume

49

Issue

1

First Page

33

Last Page

39

DOI of Published Version

10.1080/19325037.2017.1369198

Recommended Citation

Peterson, Brent M., "Relationship Between Physical Activity and Binge Drinking Among College Students: A Qualitative Investigation" (2017). Faculty Articles & Research. 401.
https://digitalcommons.biola.edu/faculty-articles/401