Text messaging enhances nutrition knowledge and behavior among college students: “Mobile MyPlate”

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of receiving repetitive educational text messages containing the MyPlate icon and USDA's Dietary Guidelines (DGs) on college students’ knowledge as well as fruit and vegetable consumption behavior through a program entitled “Mobile MyPlate”. The intervention group received biweekly text messages for 7 weeks containing the DGs and the MyPlate icon. The control group received the same information in a mailed brochure during week one. A pre‐and post‐online survey assessed the students’ knowledge of the MyPlate food groups, the DGs and fruit and vegetable consumption. The intervention resulted in a significantly greater recognition of the MyPlate food groups (p<0.05) as compared to the control and a trend toward improved knowledge of the DGs. Fruit consumption was significantly elevated (p<0.05) and there was a trend toward elevated vegetable consumption in the intervention group. There were no gender differences in the effectiveness of the intervention. Texting repeated messages appears to be an effective and efficient way to increase nutrition knowledge and behavior of college students. This research was supported by Purdue University.