Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

Published on: February 22, 2022

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the 'HEYMAN' healthy lifestyle program for young men: a pilot randomised

Lee M Ashton¹, Philip J Morgan², Melinda J Hutchesson¹

¹School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

Nutrition Journal

|January 15, 2017

Abstract

Background:

In young men, unhealthy lifestyle behaviours can be detrimental to their physical and/or mental health and set them on a negative health trajectory into adulthood. Despite this, there is a lack of evidence to guide development of effective health behaviour change interventions for young men. This study assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the 'HEYMAN' (Harnessing Ehealth to enhance Young men's Mental health, Activity and Nutrition) healthy lifestyle program for young men.

Methods:

A pilot RCT with 50 young men aged 18-25 years randomised to the HEYMAN intervention (n = 26) or waitlist control (n = 24). HEYMAN was a 3-month intervention, targeted for young men to improve eating habits, activity levels and well-being. Intervention development was informed by a participatory research model (PRECEDE-PROCEED). Intervention components included eHealth support (website, wearable device, Facebook support group), face-to-face sessions (group and individual), a personalised food and nutrient report, home-based resistance training equipment and a portion control tool. Outcomes included: feasibility of research procedures (recruitment, randomisation, data collection and retention) and of intervention components. Generalized linear mixed models estimated the treatment effect at 3-months for the primary outcomes: pedometer steps/day, diet quality, well-being and several secondary outcomes.

Results:

A 7-week recruitment period was required to enrol 50 young men. A retention rate of 94% was achieved at 3-months post-intervention. Retained intervention participants (n = 24) demonstrated reasonable usage levels for most program components and also reported reasonable levels of program component acceptability for attractiveness, comprehension, usability, support, satisfaction and ability to persuade, with scores ranging from 3.0 to 4.6 (maximum 5). No significant intervention effects were observed for the primary outcomes of steps/day (1012.7, 95% CI = -506.2, 2531.6, p = 0.191, d = 0.36), diet quality score (3.6, 95% CI = -0.4, 7.6, p = 0.081, d = 0.48) or total well-being score (0.4, 95% CI = -1.6, 2.5, p = 0.683, d = 0.11). Significant intervention effects were found for daily vegetable servings, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, MVPA, weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference and cholesterol (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The HEYMAN program demonstrated feasibility in assisting young men to make some positive lifestyle changes. This provides support for the conduct of a larger, fully-powered RCT, but with minor amendments to research procedures and intervention components required.

Trial Registration:

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000350426 .

Keywords:

Behavioural health Diet Intervention Mental health Physical activity Process evaluation Young men

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health

Published on: December 1, 2023

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Published on: October 6, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...

Lifestyle Factors and Health

Lifestyle Factors and Health

Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI

Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...

Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II

Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II

The person's health status fluctuates continually, varying from being in good health to becoming ill and returning to being healthy. To understand the concept of illness prevention, there are two models. First, the health-illness continuum model is a graphic representation of an individual's wellness. It states that a person is considered healthy in the absence of physical disease and the presence of good emotional health.
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results...

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Personalized Nutrition for Hypertension: Current Evidence and Future Directions.

Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine·2026

Associations Between Sleep Health and Diet Quality and Dietary Intake During Pregnancy: Evidence From Two Australian Cohorts.

Maternal & child nutrition·2026

Examining Demographic Variables Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Skin Yellowness.

Nutrients·2026

Associations Between Potential Listeria monocytogenes Exposure During Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes at Birth and Infant Delivery Resource Use: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Australian Women.

Journal of pregnancy·2026

Contrasting dietary patterns remodel gut microbial function and generate multi-omic signatures associated with cardiometabolic markers.

Gut microbes·2026

Associations Between Food Insecurity, Psychological Distress and Disordered Eating Risk in University Students: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Mediation Analysis.

Nutrients·2026

See all related articles