title: Persuading students to exercise: what is the best way to frame messages for normal-weight versus overweight/obese university students?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors investigated the effect of gain-framed (GF) compared with loss-framed (LF) messages on exercise behaviors in normal weight and among overweight/class I obese. The authors also examined which groups would have significantly improved exercise behaviors over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four undergraduates were randomized to the 4 groups by message type and weight category from September 2008 to December 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  After screening, students received messages and attended an exercise instruction session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between GF or LF message groups among normal weight or overweight/obese on the primary outcomes at posttest. After receiving the GF messages, the overweight/obese group was the only group to have a significant increase on all 3 primary outcomes: fitness center attendance (p = .038), combined moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity (p = .005), and strength training (p = .037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise behaviors of undergraduate students who are overweight or obese can benefit from GF messages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, USA. kozak@oakland.edu
authors.forename: Andrea T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kozak
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Brenton R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Yanos
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fought
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities