Standing Up for Student Health: An Application of the Health Action Process Approach for Reducing Student Sedentary Behavior-Randomised Control Pilot Trial

Abstract

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with chronic diseases. University students are a high-risk population for excessive SB. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) based intervention, specifically action and coping planning, would increase student break frequency and decrease duration.

Methods: Fifty-two university students (14 men, mean age 23.5) were randomised into an 8-week HAPA-treatment (sedentary behavior) or HAPA-control (nutrition) group. Participants completed an SB questionnaire that assessed break frequency and duration of student SB (Baseline, Weeks 1-6 Treatment, and Weeks 7-8 Follow-up), and received behavioral counselling on either dietary information or SB (Baseline and Week 3).

Results: An intent-to-treat analysis revealed a significant group by time interaction effect for student break frequency (p = .05, η_ρ² = 0.27), and a non-significant effect for student break duration (p = .10, η_ρ² = 0.23). For occupational (student) break frequency and duration, the large accompanying effect sizes favored the treatment group.

Conclusions: The current pilot study provides preliminary evidence for the potential of a HAPA-based intervention for increasing student break frequency in full-time university students.