Effects of Web-Based Self-Reporting: College Students’ Self-Efficacy Regarding Fruit and Vegetable Intake
Effects of Web-Based Self-Reporting: College Students’ Self-Efficacy Regarding Fruit and Vegetable Intake
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Date
2013
Authors
Cunningham, Britni
Dols, Amanda
Dumm, Emily
Eng, Angelica
Franke, Kate
Gross, Alison
Helinek, Jonathan
Indig, Jonathan
Leibowitz, Joshua
O'Connor, Alexander
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Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of an online diet-tracking tool on college students’
self-efficacy regarding fruit and vegetable intake. A convenience sample of students
completed online self-efficacy surveys before and after a six-week intervention in
which they tracked dietary intake with an online tool. Group one (n=22 fall, n=43
spring) accessed a tracking tool without nutrition tips; group two (n=20 fall, n=33
spring) accessed the tool and weekly nutrition tips. The control group (n=36 fall,
n=60 spring) had access to neither. Each semester there were significant changes in
self-efficacy from pre- to post-test for men and for women when experimental groups
were combined (p<0.05 for all); however, these changes were inconsistent.
Qualitative data showed that participants responded well to the simplicity of the tool,
the immediacy of feedback, and the customized database containing foods available on campus. Future models should improve user engagement by increasing
convenience, potentially by automation.