Type 2 Diabetes Family History and Engagement in Protective Nutrition Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study of College Students

Abstract

 The objective of this study was to determine whether having a Type 2 diabetes (T2D) family history is significantly associated with protective nutrition behaviors. Data were collected via web-based survey from undergraduate students (18 or older, n=905). Fruits and vegetables consumption and use of posted caloric information were outcome variables and demographic and family history statuses were predictor variables. Poisson and linear regression analyses were used to model all results. Participants with a positive T2D family history were (48.8%; n=441) and those without were (51.2%; n=462). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, there was no statistically significant relationship between T2D family history status and fruit consumption behavior (β =0.036, p=0.280) or vegetable consumption (β = 0.047, p=0.157). However, college students who have a family history of T2D were more conscious about calorie information when ordering/buying food (RR = 0.873, p<0.05). Health educators are tasked to include family history status as a component of T2D intervention procedures as this group is at higher risk for developing T2D.