title: Using "point of decision" messages to intervene on college students' eating behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Examine the impact of "point of decision" messages on fruit selection in a single dining hall setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Competitive undergraduate liberal arts college in the southeastern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  "Point of decision" messages were compiled into a 35-slide multimedia PowerPoint presentation. Messages were displayed on a computer screen at a "point of decision" between the cookie and fruit stations during lunch for a total of 9 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline cookie and fruit consumption was measured 9 days prebaseline and 9 days postbaseline. A random sample of students completed surveys 1 week after the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  t-tests were used to examine differences between prelevels of fruit consumption and levels measured simultaneously during "point of decision" messages. Descriptive statistics were used to examine perceptions of survey items 1 week postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant mean difference in daily fruit consumption was found following the slide presentation (df-8, t=-2.800; p=.023). Average daily fruit consumption at baseline was 408 (SD=73.43). Postbaseline average daily fruit consumption significantly increased (533; SD=102). No significant prebaseline and postbaseline cookie differences were found (p=.226). Approximately 71% of women and 68% of men noticed the "point of decision" messages. Nineteen percent of women and 10% of males reported modifying their food selection as a result of viewing the messages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The "point of decision" messaging significantly influenced fruit selection in a single dining hall setting.
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA. julian.reed@furman.edu
authors.forename: Julian A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Underwood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult