title: Exploring the potential for internet-based interventions for treatment of overweight and obesity in college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the use of internet-enabled technology for seeking health information and resources in overweight/obese college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  College students (N = 706) in Vancouver, Canada surveyed in April 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey assessed socio-demographics, health behaviors, and use of internet-enabled technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eating habits, dieting and/or exercising to lose weight, and weight satisfaction differed by weight status (all p < 0.05). Of overweight/obese participants, 48% reported they would use online student health resources. When seeking general health information, 91% would use websites; 45% would use online videos; and 75% trusted information from government or health organizations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overweight/obesity is prevalent among college students. The majority of overweight/obese students reported trying to lose weight and would use the internet for health information, especially if a website is associated with a health organization. The internet is a cost-effective channel for screening coupled with the delivery of tailored, evidence-based interventions for college students.
authors.affiliation: School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Jennifer.Schwartz@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Chris G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001955:British Columbia; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: college students; internet-based interventions; overweight/obesity