Efficacy of a brief web-based intervention with and without SMS to enhance healthy eating behaviors among university students

Abstract

BackgroundHealthy eating, such as the regular inclusion of fruits and vegetables in one's diet, is essential for maintaining optimal weight, maximizing brain and immune system functioning, and reducing the risk for disease. Despite its importance, few students meet recommended guidelines for healthy dietary behavior. The current study was designed to test the efficacy of two ehealth intervention approaches for increasing healthy eating behaviors among university students. MethodsStudent volunteers from an introductory psychology class at a northeastern US university participated for class credit (n=154). Students were randomized to either an assessment only (AO), web-based nutrition intervention only (WBO), or web-intervention with daily text-messaging condition (WB+M). Participants completed measures of vegetable and fruit consumption and frequency of meals with designated healthy food selections at baseline and one-month follow-up. ResultsOnly the WB+M intervention significantly increased the likelihood of attaining vegetable consumption standards and increased the frequency of designated healthy food choice options guidelines at follow-up compared to the AO condition. ConclusionsFindings suggest that delivering a brief web-based intervention with daily text messages about personal nutrition and fitness goals may support healthier eating patterns among students.