title: A theory-based online health behavior intervention for new university students: study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Too few young people engage in behaviors that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking. The present research developed an online intervention to target these health behaviors during the significant life transition from school to university when health beliefs and behaviors may be more open to change. This paper describes the intervention and the proposed approach to its evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Potential participants (all undergraduates about to enter the University of Sheffield) will be emailed an online questionnaire two weeks before starting university. On completion of the questionnaire, respondents will be randomly assigned to receive either an online health behavior intervention (U@Uni) or a control condition. The intervention employs three behavior change techniques (self-affirmation, theory-based messages, and implementation intentions) to target four heath behaviors (alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and smoking). Subsequently, all participants will be emailed follow-up questionnaires approximately one and six months after starting university. The questionnaires will assess the four targeted behaviors and associated cognitions (e.g., intentions, self-efficacy) as well as socio-demographic variables, health status, Body Mass Index (BMI), health service use and recreational drug use. A sub-sample of participants will provide a sample of hair to assess changes in biochemical markers of health behavior. A health economic evaluation of the cost effectiveness of the intervention will also be conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings will provide evidence on the effectiveness of online interventions as well as the potential for intervening during significant life transitions, such as the move from school to university. If successful, the intervention could be employed at other universities to promote healthy behaviors among new undergraduates.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK. epton.tracy@gmail.com
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Epton
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Norman
authors: Paschal
authors: P
authors: Sheeran
authors: Peter R
authors: PR
authors: Harris
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Webb
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Ciravegna
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Brennan
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Meier
authors: Steven A
authors: SA
authors: Julious
authors: Declan
authors: D
authors: Naughton
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Petroczi
authors: Aba-Sah
authors: AS
authors: Dadzie
authors: Jen
authors: J
authors: Kruger
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities
references: J Med Internet Res. 2010 Feb 17;12(1):e4
references: 20164043
references: Pediatrics. 1988 Sep;82(3 Pt 2):481-5
references: 3405684
references: J Health Psychol. 2008 Nov;13(8):1092-104
references: 18987082
references: Psychol Health. 2011 Feb;26(2):167-85
references: 21318928
references: Am J Prev Med. 2011 May;40(5):541-7
references: 21496753
references: Clin Psychol Rev. 2003 Oct;23(5):719-59
references: 12971907
references: Alcohol Alcohol. 2007 Jan-Feb;42(1):28-36
references: 17130139
references: Patient Educ Couns. 2009 Jul;76(1):25-30
references: 19110395
references: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jul 08;(3):MR000008
references: 19588449
references: Soc Sci Med. 2008 Nov;67(10):1550-8
references: 18771834
references: Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2011 Aug 03;6:20
references: 21812979
references: Br J Health Psychol. 2012 Nov;17(4):682-98
references: 22420300
references: Behav Res Methods. 2008 Aug;40(3):879-91
references: 18697684
references: Br J Health Psychol. 2006 Feb;11(Pt 1):139-53
references: 16480560
references: Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 1997 Sep;23(9):945-954
references: 29506445
references: Ann Med. 2001 Jul;33(5):337-43
references: 11491192
references: Alcohol Alcohol. 2002 Mar-Apr;37(2):109-20
references: 11912065
references: Psychol Bull. 2005 Nov;131(6):856-97
references: 16351327
references: Res Q Exerc Sport. 2000 Jun;71(2 Suppl):S114-20
references: 10925833
references: BMJ. 1999 Sep 11;319(7211):670-4
references: 10480822
references: Br J Soc Psychol. 2008 Sep;47(Pt 3):373-95
references: 18096108
references: J Pers Soc Psychol. 2005 Jun;88(6):918-933
references: 15982113
references: Psychol Bull. 1992 Jul;112(1):155-9
references: 19565683
references: Br J Health Psychol. 2002 May;7(Pt 2):163-84
references: 14596707