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University of Florida Identifies Health Issues

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

In its first survey of its students' health, the University of Florida has learned that most feel overwhelmed, one-fifth suffered injuries after drinking alcohol, one-third refrained from sex in the previous year and many have seriously considered suicide. The responses are documented among many others in UF's recently released Healthy Gators Student Survey, which the university devised to come up with better health initiatives.

They'll have plenty of work to do. The responses, drawn from 2,500 randomly selected students, are revealing and sometimes shocking. Health experts queried students on 10 areas, including mental health, sexual health, alcohol use, and nutrition and weight.

Some answers:

88 percent

Felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, and nearly half felt things were hopeless

25 percent

Said stress interfered with academic performance

66 percent

Felt "very sad"

11 percent

Said they have intentionally cut, burned, bruised or otherwise hurt themselves, with 4 percent doing so in the past year

34 percent

Said they had no sexual partners in the past 12 months; 42 percent said they had only one

21 percent

Said they injured themselves after drinking

7 percent

Said they were sexually touched against their will in the past 12 months

7 percent

Said they suffered from depression

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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