'It's not all fun and games': A look at young adults' participation in recreational sport teams and subsequent engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors

An increasing prevalence of preventable diseases in the U.S. adult population calls for health interventions by primary care providers. This study compared the lifestyle behaviors of 208 young adults ages 20 to 40 years in Southern California. One group of adults participated in recreational team sports such as basketball, dodgeball, football, softball or soccer and the other group did not participate in team sports but had a gym membership. A demographic survey assessed the respondents' extent of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) measured items such as nutrition and stress management. Results found that the sport group consumed alcohol, of any amount, more days of the month than those who solely exercised at the gym. There was no significant difference between the groups when comparing other health behaviors. The results indicate a need for preventive education regarding alcohol consumption in young adults.