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Publication Date

2013-11-13

Availability

UM campus only

Embargo Period

2013-11-13

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)

Department

Kinesiology and Sport Sciences (Education)

Date of Defense

2013-07-16

First Committee Member

Kevin A. Jacobs

Second Committee Member

Anthony A. Musto

Third Committee Member

Soyeon Ahn

Fourth Committee Member

Arlette C. Perry

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the THINK (Translational Health in Nutrition and Kinesiology) - College Edition program in promoting weight maintenance and favorable anthropometric changes, physical activity (PA), positive nutrition habits, and psychological well-being in college freshmen women. Fifty-three female college freshmen living on campus were split between intervention (n=26) and control (n=27) groups. The intervention was eight weeks, with two hour weekly sessions focused upon educating participants on concepts of health, PA, and nutrition. Physical, health, nutrition, and psychological measures were taken at baseline (PRE) and immediately after the intervention (POST). Only those in the intervention group showed significant improvements in waist circumference (p=.039) and the positive eating habits scale (p=.016) between PRE and POST. An intervention in the first semester of college can be effective in improving eating behaviors and decreasing health risks.

Keywords

college weight gain; Freshman 15; obesity prevention; health promotion

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