Socioeconomic disparities in emerging adult weight and weight behaviors

Objectives: To explore weight, weight behaviors, and tobacco and alcohol use among emerging adults by parental education and financial strain. Methods: Crosssectional analyses of 2010 survey data from an urban Minnesota public 4-year university and 2-year community college (n=1201). Results: Low parental education was associated with lower fruit/vegetable consumption and physical activity and more fast food and unhealthy weight control. Financial strain was associated with less physical activity and more unhealthy weight control, binge drinking, and tobacco use. Conclusions: Unique relationships exist between socioeconomic indicators and emerging adult health behaviors. Additional research is needed to understand financial context among emerging adults. Copyright (c) PNG Publications. All rights reserved.