Smart phones, social media encourage healthy habits

Kattelmann was the lead researcher for the Young Adults Eating and Active for Health (YEAH) project, a 15- month study funded through a $1.5 million Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and involved researchers from 13 other universities.

Using Web for lessons, encouragement

First, Kattelmann and her colleagues identified key challenges that face 18- to 24-year-olds who are transitioning from living at home to the dorms or off-campus housing and establishing their independence -- managing time and dealing with stress from classes, relationships and living circumstances. The researchers then developed a theory-based, Web-delivered program to promote healthy behaviors.

Though the researchers recorded the weight and body mass index, or BMI, of the 1639 second-semester college freshmen, Kattelmann said the emphasis was on health promotion, rather than weight loss. Two-thirds of the participants were within normal BMI ranges, which mirrors the national college-age population.

Based on the participants' responses, 80 percent met the goal of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week before the study began. In addition, they were encouraged to consume five cups of fruits and vegetables per day and manage stress on most days.

Participants on each campus were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention groups received lessons on eating, exercise and stress management via the Internet over a 10-week period, according to Kattelmann. In that time frame, email "nudges" along with a short video delivered four times a week reminded the students about their targeted goals and behaviors. These decreased to one per week for the next 10 months after the lessons ended.

Making mindful choices

Results showed that the students had no significant changes in weight, Kattelmann reported, noting the goal was not to lose weight, but to improve eating and exercise habits. The participants "increased their intention to consume healthy foods at mealtimes and for snacks."

Those who received the targeted messages at 0.2 cups more fruits and vegetables daily. The females in the intervention groups also engaged in slightly more rigorous physical activity than those in the control group.

Preparing healthy meals and staying physically active takes time and does not create economic wealth, but long term may save money in health care costs, she pointed out. "Developing behaviors for meal preparation, snack preparation and food choices doesn't come easy unless it's a habit."

Kattelmann continued: "In a world where we have decreased activities levels due to technology plus easy access to pre-prepared food, young people will have to make mindful choices to prevent obesity-related illnesses."