THURS-092 - Health Coaching To Promote Weight-Inclusive Physical Activity Among College Students

Brief Abstract Summary: Physical activity (PA) has many health benefits. However, college students not only face barriers to adopting sustainable forms of PA, but they are also under societal pressure to diet and use PA for weight management. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a peer-led weight-inclusive health coaching program on college students’ motivation for PA and body appreciation. College students voluntarily signed up to receive four weekly sessions with a peer health coach with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. Post-intervention analyses of 18 participants showed no changes in participants’ motivation for PA or body appreciation. However, qualitative feedback showed participants enjoyed the health coaching program and perceived positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors toward PA and their bodies. Further research is needed with a larger sample size to examine the effects of weight-inclusive health coaching programs.

Detailed abstract description: Physical activity (PA) is important for physical and mental health. However, college students face several barriers to maintaining PA. Moreover, college students are susceptible to diet culture messages, resulting in body dissatisfaction and dysfunctional relationships with PA. Peer-led health coaching is a promising way of delivering health education to help college students adopt sustainable PA behaviors through a weight-inclusive lens. The purpose of this presentation is to report the results of a peer-led weight inclusive health coaching program. Peer health coaches trained in exercise psychology, motivational interviewing (MI), and weight inclusivity led 30-minute one-on-one virtual sessions with a client once a week for four consecutive weeks. Coaches’ use of MI was audio recorded and coded for competency. Eighteen participants in the program completed the Functions of Exercise Scale (FES), and Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) at pre- and post-intervention and 26 participants completed a feedback survey about their experiences at post-intervention. Independent MI coding showed coaches met most levels of MI competency. There were no significant differences in participants’ FES or BAS-2 scores from pre- to post-intervention. However, through qualitative responses in the feedback survey, participants reported positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors toward PA as well as positive reception towards the program. Specifically, participants reported focusing less on diet and weight-centric PA practices, enjoying PA, and having greater appreciation towards their bodies and confidence that they could incorporate PA into their lives. While participants enjoyed this intervention, longer sessions may be required to change students’ PA motivation from weight and appearance management to health and wellness and increase their body appreciation. In addition to learning about research findings on weight-inclusive health coaching, attendees will also examine how a shift towards more weight-inclusive discourse on PA away from diet-focused and weight-centric pedagogy can lead to more equitable health outcomes. Additionally, attendees will receive instructions on how to implement similar weight-inclusive programs in their practice as a way to initiate a weight-inclusive paradigm shift in health education.