Examination of a Peer-Led, Non-Diet Nutrition and Exercise Adherence Pilot Program on a College Campus:

Linda A. Keeler; Dawn E. Clifford; August Buck; Petra Kowalski; Michelle N. Morris

doi:10.32398/cjhp.v11i1.1521

Linda A. Keeler Western Washington University
Dawn E. Clifford California State University, Chico
August Buck California State University, Chico
Petra Kowalski California State University, Chico
Michelle N. Morris California State University, Chico

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v11i1.1521

Abstract

A non-equivalent control group design was utilized to investigate the effect of a non-diet, peer-led, tailored nutrition and exercise adherence intervention (FitU) on exercise stages of change, intuitive eating, and barriers to healthy eating and exercise in college females. Female students (n=17) who enrolled in the 8-10 week program served as the intervention group and general education students who did not receive an intervention served as the control group (n=16). Surveys were administered pre and post intervention over two consecutive semesters. Utilizing ANCOVA analyses, reported barriers to eating healthy decreased (p=.008) and one intuitive eating subscale, eating for physical rather than emotional reasons improved significantly (p=.01) in the intervention group compared to control from pre to post. Further, 65% of the intervention group reported an improvement in exercise stage of change and none relapsed compared with only 20% improvement and 40% relapse in the control group from pre to postintervention. The majority of the intervention participants also reported improved dietary (82.4%) and exercise (76.5%) patterns/thoughts. Peer-led and individually tailored, non-diet nutrition and exercise interventions may effectively promote healthy behaviors among college females.