Social Health Website Intervention

The primary purpose for this research using a social health website intervention implemented on the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) is to gage movement in stage of change for nutrition and physical activity among participating students, staff, and faculty. Each of 42 participants completed a baseline questionnaire on current health practices and stage of change. A dropout rate of 33% left 28 participants who completed the post questionnaire at the end of 6 weeks, during which they utilized the website, www.livestrong.com. A t-test for significance identified the differences between the stage of change scores. The test for stage of change in nutrition showed significant forward movement in pre and post scores, while the test for stage of change in physical activity did not show significant forward movement between pre and post scores. A larger sample size, less specific population, and recruitment over a wider period of months with incentives offered could increase accuracy.