Mobile MyPlate: A Pilot Study Using Text Messaging to Provide Nutrition Education and Promote Better Dietary Choices in College Students
- Resource Type
- Journal Articles
Reports - Research
- Authors
- Brown, Onikia N.; O'Connor, Lauren E.; Savaiano, Dennis
- Source
- Journal of American College Health. 2014 62(5):320-327.
- Subject
- Indiana
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0744-8481
Objective: To evaluate the acceptance and effectiveness of repetitive nutrition-related text messages on college students' nutrition knowledge and fruit and vegetable consumption. Participants: One hundred fifty undergraduate (18-24 years old) non-health major students with a texting mobile phone. Methods: The intervention group received biweekly text messages of the MyPlate icon and the United States Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines (DGs) for 7 weeks. The control group received the same information in a mailed brochure. A pre and post online survey assessed the students' knowledge and behavior. Results: The intervention resulted in greater MyPlate food group recognition (p < 0.05) compared with control and a trend toward improved knowledge of the DGs. In the intervention group, fruit consumption was elevated (p < 0.05) and a trend toward elevated vegetable consumption was determined. No gender differences in intervention effectiveness exist. Conclusion: Texting repeated messages appears to be an acceptable and effective way to increase nutrition knowledge and promote positive diet-related behaviors in college students.