The Walking and Lifestyle Coaching (WALC) Program for University Students: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Health Behavior Change
• Student Wellness
• Chronic Disease Prevention

Background:

• University college students face challenges in adopting healthy lifestyles.
• Implementing accessible health promotion programs is crucial for this demographic.
• The Walking and Lifestyle Coaching (WALC) program was designed to address these needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of a 3-week Walking and Lifestyle Coaching (WALC) program.
• To promote health behavior change among university students.
• To reduce chronic disease risk factors in a college student population.

Main Methods:

• A 3-week intervention involving weekly peer health coaching and daily 30-minute walks.
• Direct measurement of physical activity using pedometers and self-monitoring journals.
• Assessment of biometrics, mental health, and cardiovascular fitness (Cooper 1.5-mile walk test) at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• 35 college students participated, averaging 6315 daily steps.
• No statistically significant changes were observed in anxiety, stress, depression, quality of life, or self-compassion.
• A non-significant trend towards reduced body fat and an average improvement of 89 seconds in the 1.5-mile walk/run test were noted.

Conclusions:

• The WALC program is a feasible and inclusive model for enhancing student wellness on university campuses.
• The program demonstrated a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness indicators.
• Further research with control groups and diverse populations is recommended to fully ascertain the program's effectiveness.