Evaluation of the intervention effect of digital health education on dietary self-discipline behaviors among college students
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026253
- VernacularTitle:数字化健康教育对大学生饮食自律行为干预效果评价
- Author:
ZHANG Qiang, JIANG Junjie, ZHOU Zixuan
1
Author Information
1. School of Management, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Health education；Intervention studies；Food habits；Behavior； Students
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(8):1112-1115
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the intervention effect of digital health education on dietary self-discipline behaviors among college students, so as to provide evidence based support for scientific dietary behavior interventions in the population.
Methods:In September 2025, 262 full time undergraduates from Shanghai University of Engineering Science were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio using block randomization into an intervention group ( n =131) and a control group ( n =131). The intervention group received a 16 week digital health education program, including artificial intelligence(AI) generated personalized dietary plans, daily push notifications health knowledge, instant feedback on dietary logging, and online fun challenge activities. The control group received traditional health education courses without any additional intervention measures. Structured questionnaires were administered at baseline and post intervention to assess dietary self discipline behaviors, including the consumption frequencies of sugar sweetened beverages, fried foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and breakfast. Chi square test was used to compare dietary self discipline indicators between the two groups before and after the intervention.
Results:Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in the composition of the six dietary self discipline behavior indicators between the two groups ( χ 2=0.47-6.11, all P >0.05). After the intervention, the differences in the composition of the six indicators between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ 2=6.78-15.88,all P < 0.05 ). After intervention, regarding risky dietary behaviors, the proportion of zero sugar sweetened beverage consumption in the intervention group increased from 10.69% to 27.48%, whereas in the control group, it increased from only 4.58% to 9.16%; the proportion of zero fried food consumption in the intervention group increased from 9.92% to 26.72%, whereas in the control group, it increased from only 7.63% to 10.69%. In the intervention group, the intake frequencies of both sugar sweetened beverages and fried foods decreased ( t =3.44，3.58, both P <0.01). Regarding protective dietary behaviors，the proportion of zero fruit intake in the intervention group decreased from 9.92% to 3.82%. The proportion of the intervention group consuming vegetables ≥2 times/day increased from 31.30% to 63.36%. The proportion of the intervention group consuming dairy products ≥1 time/day increased from 34.35% to 58.78%, compared with an increase from 41.22% to 42.75% in the control group. In the intervention group, the proportion of regular breakfast consumption (1 time/day) increased from 43.51% to 73.28%. The intake frequencies of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and breakfast in the intervention group all increased ( t =-4.76, -5.46, -3.87, -5.10,all P <0.01).
Conclusion:Digital health education can effectively suppress risky dietary behaviors among college students and promote the formation of protective dietary behaviors.
