Abstract
BackgroundToo few young people engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking. This study sought to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a theory-based online health behaviour intervention (based on self-affirmation theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and implementation intentions) targeting these behaviours in new university students, in comparison to a measurement-only control.MethodsTwo-weeks before starting university all incoming undergraduates at the University of Sheffield were invited to take part in a study of new students’ health behaviour. A randomised controlled design, with a baseline questionnaire, and two follow-ups (1 and 6 months after starting university), was used to evaluate the intervention. Primary outcomes were measures of the four health behaviours targeted by the intervention at 6-month follow-up, i.e., portions of fruit and vegetables, metabolic equivalent of tasks (physical activity), units of alcohol, and smoking status.ResultsThe study recruited 1,445 students (intervention n = 736, control n = 709, 58% female, Mean age = 18.9 years), of whom 1,107 completed at least one follow-up (23% attrition). The intervention had a statistically significant effect on one primary outcome, smoking status at 6-month follow-up, with fewer smokers in the intervention arm (8.7%) than in the control arm (13.0%; Odds ratio = 1.92, p = .010). There were no significant intervention effects on the other primary outcomes (physical activity, alcohol or fruit and vegetable consumption) at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsThe results of the RCT indicate that the online health behaviour intervention reduced smoking rates, but it had little effect on fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity or alcohol consumption, during the first six months at university. However, engagement with the intervention was low. Further research is needed before strong conclusions can be made regarding the likely effectiveness of the intervention to promote health lifestyle habits in new university students.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181.
Highlights
Too few young people engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking
A recent health survey found that few young people in the UK perform recommended health behaviours that reduce these health risks, with only 20% of 16-24 year olds reporting that they eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, less than 50% reporting that they meet weekly physical activity guidelines, 40% reporting that they exceed daily recommended alcohol limits, and 25% reporting that they smoke tobacco [2]
This paper reports the results of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of a theory-based online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle habits (U@Uni) delivered during the transition from school to university [6]
Summary
Too few young people engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking. There is some evidence that multi-behaviour health interventions can have positive effects on lifestyle habits [3]. Successful multi-behaviour health interventions to promote both exercise and healthy diets have been reported for school children [4] and undergraduates [5]. This paper reports the results of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of a theory-based online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle habits (U@Uni) delivered during the transition from school to university [6]. To the best our knowledge, this is first test of a multi-behaviour health intervention delivered during this transition
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