The Effectiveness of a Media Integration Peer Support Model in Enhancing Awareness and Health Behaviors Related to Obesity and Sarcopenic Obesity Among Overweight-risk College Students

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Sarcopenic obesity refers to a condition characterized by high body fat percentage and insufficient muscle mass, posing significant risks to physical and mental health. This issue is not limited to the elderly; it is increasingly common among younger populations as well. According to the National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted between 2017 and 2020, high rates of eating out due to study and work lifestyles in Taiwan result in limited access to nutritious food. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's statistics from 2021 show that only 33.9% of the population engages in regular exercise. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with physical activity and nutritional intake. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People has urged the public to maintain a balanced diet and establish exercise habits early to reduce the risk of sarcopenic obesity. Younger individuals are more likely to increase muscle mass with interventions in exercise and nutrition compared to older adults, making college students a key demographic for fostering healthy behaviors. Therefore, it is essential to address how to enhance their health awareness and behaviors. Based on this, the present study aims to explore the impact of a multimedia intervention combined with a peer support model on the awareness and behaviors of college students at risk of being overweight. The research methodology involves a randomized controlled trial, participants from a medical university in central Taiwan. Body composition will be measured first, and eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, followed by a 12-week intervention and subsequent post-test. The study will analyze the effects of multimedia combined with peer support on the awareness and behaviors of at-risk college students, as well as assess muscle mass changes through grip strength measurements. The goal is to enhance college students' awareness of their health behaviors, improve their dietary and exercise habits, fill knowledge and application gaps, and provide an evidence-based foundation for future strategies to promote healthy behaviors among young populations.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 25
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Undergraduate students in years 1 to 4 at a medical university in central Taiwan

• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23 and 27 or body fat percentage between 25% and 35%

• Aged 18 to 25 years

• No diagnosis of any chronic disease

Locations
Other Locations
Taiwan
Ya-Ling Tzeng
RECRUITING
Taichung
Contact Information
Primary
Ya-Ling Tzeng, PhD
tyaling@mail.cmu.edu.tw
+886 4-22053366
Backup
Mei-Chen Ho, Ms
maggie.110310@gmail.com
+886 910228368
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-05-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
Experimental: Online Video Exercise + Peer Support
Participants in the intervention group will engage in a 12-week program that includes twice-weekly structured exercise sessions guided by video content delivered via an online media platform. The program also includes weekly health education videos on nutrition and sarcopenic obesity. Participants will be organized into peer support groups (5 members per group) to promote mutual encouragement and accountability in maintaining healthy behaviors.
Active_comparator: Printed Health Education Materials
Participants in the control group will receive printed health education materials weekly for 12 weeks. These materials cover the same topics as the intervention group, including healthy eating, physical activity, and prevention of sarcopenic obesity, but without the video-based guidance or peer group support.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: China Medical University Hospital

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov