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Undergrad and overweight: an online behavioral weight management program for college students
Jean Harvey-Berino1, Lizzy Pope, Beth Casey Gold
1Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
|November 13, 2012
Summary
An online weight management program effectively helped college students adopt healthier eating and exercise habits. This approach proved feasible for promoting lifestyle changes in university students seeking weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Behavioral Science
- Nutrition and Dietetics
Background:
- College students often face challenges maintaining healthy lifestyles due to academic pressures and lifestyle changes.
- Obesity prevalence is a concern among young adults, necessitating accessible and effective weight management interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of an online behavioral weight management program tailored for college students.
- To evaluate the program's impact on eating and exercise behaviors in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A 336-student cohort from two universities participated.
- The online program utilized weekly facilitator-led chats, dietary guidelines, food logging, and exercise recommendations.
- Focus was on behavioral strategies for weight loss and healthy lifestyle development.
Main Results:
- Overweight/obese participants (BMI 30.6 kg/m²) lost an average of 5.1 lbs.
- Healthy weight participants (BMI 22.0 kg/m²) aiming for weight loss averaged 1.8 lbs.
- 23% of all participants achieved a >5% weight loss from baseline.
Conclusions:
- Online behavioral weight management programs are a feasible method for college students.
- The program facilitated the adoption of healthier eating and exercise behaviors.
- This digital approach offers a scalable solution for student wellness initiatives.
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