Kendra Kattelmann*, South Dakota State University, Brookings, United States Geoffrey W. Greene, University of Rhode Island, Providence, United States Adrienne White, University of Maine, Orono, United States Carol Byrd Bredbenner, University of New Jersey-Rutgers, Rutgers, United States Tandalayo Kidd, Kansas State University, Manhattan, United States Sharon Hoerr, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States Sarah Colby, University of Tennesse, Knoxville, United States Tanya Horacek, Syracuse University, Syracuse, United States Melissa Olfert, West Virginia University, Morgantown, United States Onikia Brown, Auburn University, Auburn, United States Mallory Koenings, University of New Jersey, Rutgers, United States Beatrice Phillips, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, United States Karla P. Shelnutt, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States Jesse Morrell, University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States Track: Research Presentation Topic: Web 2.0 approaches for behaviour change, public health and biosurveillance Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2014-10-28

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Objective: Young adulthood, 18-24 years of age, is a transitional time when adverse changes in body weight often occur and being overweight at this age is linked to obesity by mid-thirties. Approaches targeted to this life-stage are needed to prevent unhealthy weight gain. Regular and healthful meals have been associated with obesity prevention. The objective is to report on the effectiveness of Project YEAH (a theory-based, web-delivered weight maintenance intervention) to improve self-instruction and self-regulation for healthful mealtime behavior.

Methods: Investigators from 13 different states collaborated to develop Project YEAH (10 week intervention with a 12 month follow-up period) using the community based participatory research method of PRECEDE-PROCEED. The intervention consisted of 21 interactive-modules (introduction, 7 on healthful eating behavior, 4 on incorporating daily physical activity, 5 on managing daily stress, 2 on weight management techniques and a conclusion) developed using Dick and Carey's Model of Instructional Design and stage-tailored email “nudges” (3/week during intervention and 3/month during follow-up period) reinforcing the content of the interactive modules. Experimental participants were required to set weekly goals. 1639 college students recruited via face-to-face methods (i.e. in-class and residential life housing meetings, plus e-mails, letters, and flyers) were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Experimental and control participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up for self-instruction for intention for planning, choosing and assembling healthful meals and engaging in healthful meal behavior using six items about self-instruction for intention for healthful meal behavior (Cronbach's α 0.73)and four about self-regulation for healthful meal behavior (Cronbach's α 0.71). To determine differences between intervention and control outcome variables, PROC MIXED repeated measures analysis was performed in SAS (version 9.3, SAS, Gary, North Carolina) including the fixed effects of time, gender and group. Significance set at P≤0.05.

Results: The experimental participants recorded both significantly greater self-instruction for healthful meal behavior (baseline 3.2± 0.8, post-intervention 3.6±0.8, mean ± standard deviation) and self-regulation for healthful meal behavior (baseline 3.2±0.7, post-intervention 3.6±0.7) than control participants (self-instruction, baseline 3.2±0.8, post-intervention 3.4±0.8; self-regulation, baseline 3.4±0.7, post-intervention 3.5±0.7). There were no differences between groups at follow-up.

Conclusions: Project YEAH has the potential to improve intention for planning, choosing and assembling healthful meals and engaging in healthful meal behavior in 18-24 year olds.