Investigating the Impact of a Physical Activity & Nutrition Module on the Well-being of 1st year Social Care Students

Abstract

​There has been an increase in the number of students in higher education who are experiencing mental illness, mental distress and low levels of well-being. Furthermore, many university students do not meet the physical activity guidelines or meet the recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake.  Research suggests that the promotion of healthy behaviours, including physical activity and nutrition, can have a significant impact on well-being. Consequently ‘A Healthy Food and Recreation’ was designed as a module within the formal curriculum that combines physical activity and nutrition with the intent to enhance student well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ‘A Healthy Food and Recreation’, on the well-being of first year Social Care students in one University in Ireland. The study also explores whether participants’ physical activity and nutrition levels were impacted. Quantitative data was collected from 1st year Social Care students (N=42), via purposive sampling, completing the module ‘A Healthy Food & Recreation’. Well-being (WHO-5 Well-being Index), physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form) and fruit and vegetable intake were measured at the start of semester (Week 4) and again in Week 11-12. There was a large statistically significant increase in well-being from the start of semester compared to the end of semester (p < .001). However, there was no statistically significant increase in median MET-minutes from the start of semester to the end of semester and no statistically significant difference in median servings of fruit and vegetables at the start of semester compared to the end of semester. ‘A Healthy Food and Recreation’ a physical activity and nutrition module, embedded within the curriculum, in Ireland was effective in improving well-being in first year Social Care students. While there is a need to replicate these findings at scale, the public health implications highlight the potential role that universities can play in implementing health promotion strategies through the curriculum to improve the well-being of students.