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Persuading students to exercise: what is the best way to frame messages for normal-weight versus overweight/obese
Andrea T Kozak1, Christine Nguyen, Brenton R Yanos
1Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, USA. kozak@oakland.edu
Objective:
The authors investigated the effect of gain-framed (GF) compared with loss-framed (LF) messages on exercise behaviors in normal weight and among overweight/class I obese. The authors also examined which groups would have significantly improved exercise behaviors over time.
Participants:
Sixty-four undergraduates were randomized to the 4 groups by message type and weight category from September 2008 to December 2011.
Methods:
After screening, students received messages and attended an exercise instruction session.
Results:
There were no significant differences between GF or LF message groups among normal weight or overweight/obese on the primary outcomes at posttest. After receiving the GF messages, the overweight/obese group was the only group to have a significant increase on all 3 primary outcomes: fitness center attendance (p = .038), combined moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity (p = .005), and strength training (p = .037).
Conclusions:
The exercise behaviors of undergraduate students who are overweight or obese can benefit from GF messages.
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