BackgroundChildhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many nations around the world. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) have been used to successfully plan and evaluate numerous interventions for many different behaviors. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize TPB and TRA-based dietary behavior interventions targeting adolescents and young adults.MethodsThe following databases were systematically searched to find articles for this review: Academic Search Premier; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL); Education Resources Information Center (ERIC); Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); and MEDLINE. Inclusion criteria for articles were: 1) primary or secondary interventions, 2) with any quantitative design, 3) published in the English language, 4) between January 2003 and March 2014, 5) that targeted adolescents or young adults, 6) which included dietary change behavior as the outcome, and 7) utilized TPB or TRA.ResultsOf the eleven intervention studies evaluated, nine resulted in dietary behavior change that was attributed to the treatment. Additionally, all but one study found there to be a change in at least one construct of TRA or TPB, while one study did not measure constructs. All of the studies utilized some type of quantitative design, with two employing quasi-experimental, and eight employing randomized control trial design. Among the studies, four utilized technology including emails, social media posts, information on school websites, web-based activities, audio messages in classrooms, interactive DVDs, and health-related websites. Two studies incorporated goal setting and four employed persuasive communication.ConclusionInterventions directed toward changing dietary behaviors in adolescents should aim to incorporate multi-faceted, theory-based approaches. Future studies should consider utilizing randomized control trial design and operationalize variables. More research is needed to identify the optimal TPB and TRA modalities to modify dietary behaviors.

Results have direct implications for developing appropriate training programs for bystander intervention programs on college campuses.

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Objective: College students are at an increased risk of mental distress. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mental and lifestyle factors differed according to self-reported levels of psychological distress. Design and setting: A self-report questionnaire comprising the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale, Revised Life Orientation Test, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and 24-hour recall of lifestyle behaviours was administered to 195 undergraduate college students at a Midwestern US university. Methods: Respondents were grouped into categories of low, moderate and severe mental distress using established cut-points for the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale. Between-group differences were assessed to determine whether the mental and lifestyle variables under investigation differed according to magnitude of mental distress. Results: Significant differences were found between the three categories of mental distress and amounts of optimism, self-esteem and social support. Analysis of the lifestyle variables suggested groups were different for behaviours pertaining to computer screen time, fruit consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage intake when categorised into the three-tier groupings. No significant differences were found for the remaining lifestyle variables or for body mass index. Regression analysis found low levels of optimism, self-esteem and social support significantly predicted mental distress. Conclusion: Results of this study suggested higher amounts of optimism, self-esteem and social support were associated with decreased levels of mental distress in a sample of college students. Additional research is required to determine the role of lifestyle variables in mental distress.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQϩ) individuals face numerous challenges related to minority stress, among them sexual assault victimization. Yet, research on actual and perceived consequences of sexual assault victimization in LGBTQϩ communities is limited. The purposes of this qualitative study were to better understand the perceptions of social norms about the negative consequences of sexual assault and to propose interpersonal recommendations and policy changes to improve mental and physical health support and reporting procedures to better serveLGBTQϩ college student sexual assault survivors. We used thematic analysis of 12 individual and group interviews of LGBTQϩ college students (N ϭ 20; median age ϭ 20) representing a range of gender identities (i.e., cisgender men, cisgender, and transgender women) and sexual orientations (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, and homoflexible cupiosexual people) to identify six major themes and 14 subthemes. The major themes included: (a) Interpersonal Concerns About Disclosure, (b) Consequences of Sexual Assault, (c) Hesitance to Engage with Institutions Following Sexual Assault, (d) Sense of LGBTQϩ Community, (e) Cisheteronormativity, and (f) Changes to Improve Institutional Support. Participants perceived both experiences common to greater college populations as well as unique consequences LGBTQϩ students face, coupled with a widespread distrust of the institutions tasked with providing survivors mental and physical health treatment and criminal justice. Study findings corroborate previous research that underscores the necessity of increased funding for, and tailoring reporting procedures and support services to, the needs of LGBTQϩ college students. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that it is important to reevaluate structural barriers to access to services and support for LGBTQϩ survivors of sexual assault. Further, tailor educational programming and response services are needed to better support LGBTQϩ sexual assault survivors on college campuses.