Effectiveness of a Peer Support Media Model on Obesity and Sarcopenia Awareness in At-Risk College Students

Overview

Sarcopenic obesity refers to a condition characterized by high body fat percentage and insufficient muscle mass, posing significant risks to physical and mental health. This issue is not limited to the elderly; it is increasingly common among younger populations as well. According to the National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted between 2017 and 2020, high rates of eating out due to study and work lifestyles in Taiwan result in limited access to nutritious food. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's statistics from 2021 show that only 33.9% of the population engages in regular exercise. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with physical activity and nutritional intake. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People has urged the public to maintain a balanced diet and establish exercise habits early to reduce the risk of sarcopenic obesity. Younger individuals are more likely to increase muscle mass with interventions in exercise and nutrition compared to older adults, making college students a key demographic for fostering healthy behaviors. Therefore, it is essential to address how to enhance their health awareness and behaviors. Based on this, the present study aims to explore the impact of a multimedia intervention combined with a peer support model on the awareness and behaviors of college students at risk of being overweight. The research methodology involves a randomized controlled trial, participants from a medical university in central Taiwan. Body composition will be measured first, and eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, followed by a 12-week intervention and subsequent post-test. The study will analyze the effects of multimedia combined with peer support on the awareness and behaviors of at-risk college students, as well as assess muscle mass changes through grip strength measurements. The goal is to enhance college students' awareness of their health behaviors, improve their dietary and exercise habits, fill knowledge and application gaps, and provide an evidence-based foundation for future strategies to promote healthy behaviors among young populations.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will recruit students from a university in central Taiwan, randomly assigning them to either an intervention or a control group. Intervention Participants will first complete body composition assessments and questionnaires. Eligible students will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Intervention group:12-week program including weekly educational videos on exercise and nutrition.Biweekly group exercises (elastic band and aerobic).Peer support groups (5 per group) for weekly discussions and exercise tracking. Control group:Receives weekly paper-based health education materials on exercise and diet. Video Content Includes: Sarcopenic Obesity Awareness: Definitions, risks, health effects, and prevention strategies.Exercise Guidance: Filmed with exercise science faculty, includes warm-up (5 min), resistance/aerobic training (20 min), and cool-down (5 min). Nutrition Education: Based on HPA guidelines and reviewed by dietetics faculty, covering protein, vegetables, fruits, and easy dietary tips. Data Analysis Using SPSS 25.0.Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses will be conducted.Chi-square tests (categorical data) and independent t-tests (continuous variables) will compare baseline group differences.Paired t-tests will assess within-group pre-post changes.Independent t-tests will evaluate between-group post-intervention differences.Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) will examine time-by-group interaction effects.Statistical significance set at α \< 0.05.