Date Available

11-26-2019

Year of Publication

2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Karen Butler

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Shannon Smith-Stephens

Committee Member

Dr. Martha Biddle

Abstract

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Although cardiovascular disease is often associated with middle aged and older adults, modifiable CVD risk factors are also present in young adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether a cardiovascular risk reduction educational intervention delivered via Facebook is feasible and effective for modifying risk factor reduction such as decreased body mass index and increased fruit/vegetable consumption among college students.

METHODS: This study involved the use of pre-test and post-test surveys modified from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to determine intervention effectiveness. A once weekly cardiovascular risk reduction education memes, video clip, or text related to body mass index and/or fruit/vegetable consumption was posted publicly on the private Facebook page. In addition, the treatment group received a once weekly private message that had an additional cardiovascular risk reduction education meme, video clip, or text related to body mass index and/or fruit/vegetable consumption.

RESULTS: Fourteen students participated in the study. The average body mass indexes were 23.02/23.07 pre-test/post-test for the intervention group and 25.97/25.61 pre-test/post-test for the control group. The average daily number of servings of fruits/vegetables was 3.14 both pre-test/post-test for the intervention group and 3.43/3.58 pre-test/post-test for the control group. There were no significant differences observed between the intervention group and the control group with regards to changes in BMI or fruit/vegetable consumption amounts from pre-test to post-test.

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