title: A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni): results from a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Too few young people engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking. This study sought to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a theory-based online health behaviour intervention (based on self-affirmation theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and implementation intentions) targeting these behaviours in new university students, in comparison to a measurement-only control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-weeks before starting university all incoming undergraduates at the University of Sheffield were invited to take part in a study of new students' health behaviour. A randomised controlled design, with a baseline questionnaire, and two follow-ups (1 and 6 months after starting university), was used to evaluate the intervention. Primary outcomes were measures of the four health behaviours targeted by the intervention at 6-month follow-up, i.e., portions of fruit and vegetables, metabolic equivalent of tasks (physical activity), units of alcohol, and smoking status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study recruited 1,445 students (intervention n = 736, control n = 709, 58% female, Mean age = 18.9 years), of whom 1,107 completed at least one follow-up (23% attrition). The intervention had a statistically significant effect on one primary outcome, smoking status at 6-month follow-up, with fewer smokers in the intervention arm (8.7%) than in the control arm (13.0%; Odds ratio = 1.92, p = .010). There were no significant intervention effects on the other primary outcomes (physical activity, alcohol or fruit and vegetable consumption) at 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the RCT indicate that the online health behaviour intervention reduced smoking rates, but it had little effect on fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity or alcohol consumption, during the first six months at university. However, engagement with the intervention was low. Further research is needed before strong conclusions can be made regarding the likely effectiveness of the intervention to promote health lifestyle habits in new university students.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK. epton.tracy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Epton
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Aba-Sah
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dadzie
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Paschal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sheeran
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Julious
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciravegna
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Petra S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naughton
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petroczi
authors.forename: Jen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Iltaf
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013334:Students; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult