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Updated: May 8, 2026

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
A mixed-methods approach to targeting college students' dairy behaviors
1Dietitian, Purdue University Student Health Center, West Lafayette, IN, USA. akmahon1@gmail.com
Objectives:
To assess dairy consumption among students and uncover female students' self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers of not consuming dairy, and cues that prompt behavior change.
Methods:
A survey (N = 6499) identified the approximate dairy servings consumed on a daily basis and 28 participants shared their perceptions of dairy foods in 3 focus groups.
Results:
Students do not consume enough calcium in their daily diets and do not have knowledge about serving size or the importance of dairy consumption.
Conclusions:
Students preferred health campaigns specific to the student population. Messages that focus on overall health and substitution of unhealthy behaviors with healthier behaviors may encourage behavior change.
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