Dangerous alcohol consumption among college students in university environments comprises a public health crisis in the United States. Drinking has been shown to negatively impact many aspects of student well-being including academic performance, physical health, mental health, general safety, etc. While the acute and long-term effects of alcohol consumption are considered well-established, uncovering the motivating factors and influences behind the behavior has proven to be more complex. Relationships between exercise endorsement and alcohol consumption have not been studied extensively, with particularly little research existing for the undergraduate demographic. This study aims to assess the associations between different levels physical activity and alcohol consumption in a sample of college students.
The study’s sample is composed 58 undergraduate students from a large northeastern university meeting the following eligibility: 18-25 years old, current enrollment, reporting at least two instances of past-month binge drinking, and past year tobacco/cannabis use. Participants completed questionnaires and wore devices which evaluated the following measures: demographics, baseline alcohol use (via Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), baseline polysubstance use, baseline physical activity (via International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short version), daily alcohol use (via Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor), and daily physical activity/sedentary behavior (via Marshall Sitting Questionnaire and activPAL device monitoring). The data was analyzed using multilevel modeling, fixed effects modeling, and random effects modeling.
Results of the study found increased alcohol use to be associated with days in which participants recorded prolonged bouts of both sedentary and physical activity. Days in which only elevated sedentary behavior occurred were associated with decreased alcohol consumption. Days in which increased physical activity occurred also were associated with lower rates of alcohol consumption.
Takeaway: alcohol consumption rates in college students may vary according to daily activity levels, with combinations of sedentary behavior and physical activity contributing to increased drinking. Additional research is needed to support these findings.