Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences

Department

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Committee Chair

Sam Zizzi.

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a theory-based, computertailored feedback system for freshman students at a large, public university. The objective was to understand its potential effectiveness in helping the university in enhancing student wellness. Participants: Sixty-two college students, out of the over 1,300 contacted, completed the eight week intervention.;Methods. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups and received the survey three times, consistently receiving normative or personalized feedback.;Results. Mainly constituted by freshman, Caucasian, and normal weight individuals, the participating sample was generally healthy. Repeated-measure ANOVAs were run and some small significant differences were found in the changes happened in the interactions between the received feedback and the amount of moderate physical activity, the number of drinks per day and the likelihood to engage and the importance attributed to moderate drinking behaviors.;Conclusions. This study showed potential preventive aspects of this intervention, which could help institutions in supplying preventive helpful services, and eventually delivering "curative" health services related to unhealthy diet, drinking habits, or inactive lifestyle. However, ceiling effects present in all dependent variables and the short time frame of the intervention limited its effectiveness in changing attitude or behaviors.;Keywords: College Students, physical activity, nutritional, and drinking habits, Internet, tailored feedback.

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