Psychosocial mediators of web-based interventions for promoting a healthy lifestyle among Chinese college students : secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Web-based multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) among Chinese college students. However, there is limited research examining their effects on promoting a healthy lifestyle (ie, adhering to both PA and FVC behavioral recommendations) among Chinese college students. In addition, the salient psychosocial mediators of successful MHBC interventions need to be researched. Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a previous 8-week web-based MHBC program for promoting a healthy lifestyle and enhancing the psychosocial determinants (intention, self-efficacy, planning, and social support) of behavior change among Chinese college students. Furthermore, the study aims to identify whether changes in these psychosocial determinants mediate intervention effectiveness on the immediate and sustained lifestyle changes. Methods: This was a secondary analysis for a 3-arm randomized controlled trial. Chinese college students (N=552) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a PA-first group (4-week PA intervention followed by 4-week FVC intervention), an FVC-first group (4-week FVC intervention followed by 4-week PA intervention), and a placebo control group. The intervention content was designed based on the health action process approach model. Data for analyses were collected at baseline (T0), postintervention assessment (T1), and 12-week follow-up assessment (T2). Results: At baseline, 13.9% (77/552) of the participants maintained a healthy lifestyle. After 8 weeks, more (200/552, 36.2%) participants achieved a healthy lifestyle. PA-first and FVC-first groups were, respectively, 3.24 times and 5 times more likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle than the control group at T1. After 12 weeks, 35.5% (196/552) of the participants adopted a healthy lifestyle. Intervention groups were approximately 2.99 times (PA first) and 4.07 times (FVC first) more likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle than the control group at T2. Intervention effects favored both intervention groups in self-efficacy and planning for PA and in intention and planning for FVC compared with the control condition. In addition, changes in PA self-efficacy and FVC