Education Programs for College Students' Weight Beliefs
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how different types of education affect beliefs about weight and body image among undergraduate women currently dieting. It compares three groups: one learning about the body's natural weight management (Weight Science Education), another focusing on healthy eating (Nutrition Education), and a third combining both. The goal is to determine if these educational programs alter beliefs about weight control and improve body satisfaction and self-esteem. This trial suits female students at McMaster University who are actively trying to lose weight by restricting their eating. As an unphased study, it offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance educational approaches for better body image and self-esteem.
What prior data suggests that these educational programs are safe for college students?
Research has shown that education programs can be safely conducted with college students. This trial includes Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education, both used in similar settings without reports of harm.
For Weight Science Education, studies have found that active learning, a key component of this teaching style, helps students excel in science subjects. This method engages students and is easy for them to handle, with no reported negative side effects.
Nutrition Education is also well-received. Colleges have successfully taught students about healthy eating and cooking habits. These programs aim to improve student health and address food insecurity without known risks.
Overall, both types of education are considered safe for college students. They focus on providing information and skills without physical interventions, making them low-risk.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to explore how different types of education—nutrition, sleep, and weight science—might change college students' beliefs about weight control and healthy living. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on diet and exercise, this trial investigates whether understanding the science behind weight and the role of sleep can shift students' perspectives on personal control over weight and lifestyle choices. By comparing combinations of these educational interventions, researchers hope to uncover new ways to promote healthy lifestyle choices and weight acceptance, potentially offering a fresh approach to weight management education.
What evidence suggests that this trial's educational programs could be effective for changing weight beliefs?
This trial will compare different educational programs for college students. Participants in the Weight Science Education and Sleep Education arm will receive both interventions. Research shows these can change perceptions about weight control, helping individuals understand that some weight factors are beyond their control. This realization may lead to better body satisfaction and less disordered eating. Participants in the Nutrition Education and Sleep Education arm will receive those interventions. Studies indicate that learning about nutrition promotes healthier eating habits, such as consuming fewer high-calorie foods, resulting in a 7.5% improvement in physical health. The Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education arm will combine these methods, which may reduce the belief that weight is entirely within personal control and encourage acceptance of a healthy lifestyle. This could improve body image and self-esteem among college students.24678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for female undergraduate students at McMaster University who are dieting to lose weight. Participants must be over 18, identify as women, and have normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive educational interventions on weight science, nutrition, and sleep education
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in beliefs, body image, self-esteem, and eating patterns post-intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Nutrition Education
- Sleep Education
- Weight Science Education
Trial Overview
The study compares three educational approaches: one on the body's natural weight control, another on healthy eating, and a third combining both. It aims to see if these teachings affect beliefs about weight control and subsequently improve body image, self-esteem, and eating patterns.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants in the Weight Science Education and Healthy Eating Education arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the main hypothesis that weight science and nutrition teaching combined will both decrease the belief of personal control over weight and an increase the belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance.
Participants in the Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that weight science education alone will decrease belief in personal control over weight and will have little to no effect on belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance.
Participants in the Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that nutrition education alone will increase belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle or weight acceptance, but will have little to no effect on the belief in personal control over weight.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Effectiveness of nutrition interventions targeting university ...
The inclusion of nutrition and health promotion coursework in the university setting has shown promise in increasing food security (39), ...
Impact of dietary habit changes on college students ...
The findings showed that reducing high-calorie food intake had the most significant effect on students' physical health, resulting in a 7.5% improvement.
Effect of Nutrition Education on Health Science University ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year nutrition education course on cardiometabolic parameters in undergraduate health science ...
University Students Implement a Nutrition and Cooking ...
To assess the ability of trained university students to implement Cooking Matters for Kids, a hands-on nutrition and cooking education curriculum.
Food and Nutrition Insecurity Among College Students
College students, particularly those from underserved communities and with lower incomes, are a population at risk for food and nutrition insecurity.
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among First-Year College ...
Only 19% of the students reported eating a balanced diet regularly, while 54% reported being active less than twice a week. Although 91% of the students ...
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insidehighered.com
insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2025/09/25/colleges-teach-students-healthy-eating-cookingColleges Teach Students Healthy Eating, Cooking Habits
Inside Higher Ed compiled five examples of nutrition education designed to address student health, food insecurity and malnutrition.
8.
publichealth.gmu.edu
publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2022-02/new-study-finds-college-freshmen-exceed-many-us-dietary-guidelines-increasing-riskNew Study Finds that College Freshmen Exceed Many U.S. ...
Mason: Health Starts Here study finds most college freshmen exceed US dietary guidelines for added sugar, refined grains, sodium, and saturated fat.
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