Background
Despite the rise in self-perception of the importance assigned to eating balanced meals, obesity incidence is still high in both Western and Asian countries. The high number is concerning since it leads to adaptation of sedentary lifestyle which leads to increasing cases of non communicable diseases. Raising knowledge regarding healthy lifestyle, healthy diet and eating habit is believed to act as an adequate prevention method. Leveraging on the widespread use of social media and smartphones, this study aims to assess effectiveness of social media campaign in promoting healthy dietand observebehavioral changes at the end campaign period.
Method
Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. A hundred and forty-fourfreshmen of psychology and medical students were selected as respondents through proportionate random sampling. They were divided to two groups; control and intervention. Respondents in intervention group were exposed to information via Instagram for approximately four months. The self-administered knowledge questionnaires and FFQ were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative data were collected from interviewing fourteen respondents and was analyzed using Constant Comparative Method (CCM).
Results
Although positive increasing trend was observed at the end of intervention period, most of respondents had yet to answer half of total questionnaire right. Furthermore, the raise of knowledge did not lead to changes of daily dietary pattern. Social media campaign was perceived good despite needing improvements in some aspects.
Conclusion
Healthy lifestyle, healthy diet and eating habits promotion towards students using Instagram has been proven successful in raising overall knowledge. However, the raise did not change students’ dietary pattern. |