UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

A college student’s health dynamic consists of their environment, behavioral choices, and their mental stability.  Their environment influences many of the risk behaviors they choose to take part in.  The World Health Organization defines risk behaviors or risk factors as any attribute, characteristic or exposure of life style activities that put an individual at an increased likelihood of developing particular conditions, illness, or injury to themselves or others (2016).  Risk behaviors like drug and alcohol consumption, sexual practices, and eating habits have been recognized by researchers to have a negative impact in college students’ future health.  Mental health is also an important aspect in college students’ health dynamic as it can determine external choices like drugs use or vice versa.  Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (World Health Organization, 2016).  These are all aspects that are interrelated in how college students develop their health.