Cues to Healthy Decision-Making Among College Students: Results from a Pilot Study

• Published in: College student journal Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 697 - 704
• Main Authors: Rao, Satya P., Lozano, Valerie, Taani, Murad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Project Innovation 01.12.2014; Project Innovation, Inc; Project Innovation (Alabama)
• Subjects: Analysis; Behavior Change; Campuses; College Students; Cues; Decision Making; Diabetes; Eating Habits; Food; Food habits; Health aspects; Health Behavior; Incentives; Intervention; Knowledge Level; Nutrition; Obesity; Physical Activity; Pilot Projects; Statistics; Student Attitudes; Student Behavior; United States (Southwest); United States
• ISSN: 0146-3934; 2691-3887

Problem Almost 60% of college students consume less than two servings of fruits and vegetables a day while 40-50% either exercise irregularly or do not exercise. When surveyed in another study, half of the students responded that they had not received any information about healthy eating and behaviors from their colleges while nearly 60% said they would be interested in receiving such information. Therefore college environments provide opportunities for implementing interventions that encourage healthier lifestyles including on healthy nutrition and physical activity. Purpose and Method The purpose of the current pilot study was to implement and evaluate a campus-wide campaign of cues to healthy decision-making to improve students' knowledge and awareness about healthier lifestyle choices and to serve as reminders towards positive changes in health-related behaviors and actions. Results Based on analysis, 86% (48) of the participants indicated that they had learned something from reading the information on the table toppers and 75% (42) agreed that the information had made them more aware and reminded them of healthier lifestyle choices. Conclusions The need for such communication-based campaigns using cues to healthy decision-making show promise among college students.