Abstract
Objective
Explore the feasibility of an online behavioral weight management program for college
students.
Methods
The program focused on behavioral strategies to modify eating and exercise behaviors
of students interested in losing weight and/or developing a healthy lifestyle. Specific
tools included weekly chat meetings with a facilitator, calorie and fat gram recommendations,
daily food logs, and exercise guidance.
Results
Three hundred thirty-six students participated from 2 northeastern universities. Overweight/obese
students wanting to lose weight had a mean body mass index of 30.6 kg/m2 at baseline and lost an average of 5.1 ± 6.0 lbs. Those of healthy weight wanting
to lose weight had a mean body mass index of 22.0 kg/m2 at baseline and lost an average of 1.8 ± 3.2 lbs. Twenty-three percent of students
lost > 5% of their baseline weight.
Conclusions and Implications
Use of an online behavioral weight management program may be a feasible way to help
college students develop healthy eating and exercise behaviors.
Key Words
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© 2012 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
