Graduate Program
Nutrition and Dietetics
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2013
Thesis Director
Melanie Burns
Thesis Committee Member
Richard Wilkinson
Thesis Committee Member
Katherine Shaw
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media, specifically Face book, as a medium of providing nutrition education and its impact on college students' food choices. A Facebook group was designed, Don't Waist Your College Experience, and college students were invited to join and participate in the nutrition education intervention and complete a pre- and post- revised version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients (REAP). Fortytwo participants (98% Caucasian, 86% females, 60% graduate students) completed the pre-REAP questionnaire and 10 of those also completed the post-REAP questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess dietary and lifestyle habits. Descriptive statistics and at-test were used to analyze the collected data. The results showed the participants were satisfied with the posted nutrition education; however, their engagement was limited making the nutrition education intervention ineffective. There was a significant change in the consumption of sodium (p=0.00) and the sugar and added calories (p=0.10). Online nutrition education offers the potential to improve dietary habits of college students.
Recommended Citation
Zaring, Brittany A., "Don't waist your college experience: Administering nutrition education through Facebook" (2013). Masters Theses. 1230.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1230
