Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110536

Fiona Chew, PhD, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, 215 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244-2100, (315) 443-9241, cmrfchew@syr.edu

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This formative research project tested the appeal of a healthy lifestyle makeover reality TV concept in order to develop educational and entertaining program content about nutrition and physical fitness to reduce adverse health outcomes and help young adults make the best health promotion choices. STUDY DESIGN: Two research studies were conducted among young adults aged 18 to 24 at a Northeastern university. A focus group of 8 subjects tapped open-ended responses to a TV concept featuring a nutritionist and a fitness specialist observing the day-to-day struggles of a college student and offering health improving advice which the subject attempts to adopt. Various archetypes include the studyholic, athlete, and others. The second study tested the TV storyboard among 20 subjects utilizing Likert-scale survey items developed from focus group results. We identified focus group themes qualitatively and analyzed the survey data for top program elements. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Overall, subjects were positive towards the makeover program. A majority would view the series and knew of others who would participate as makeover candidates. More than nine out of ten would like to see a professor being made over while three-quarters found it very interesting to see students like themselves. Three-quarters rated makeover shows appealing and a similar proportion wanted to see the candidates make themselves over in order to attain a goal such as get ready for a job interview or date a person. CONCLUSION: Formative research identified appealing program elements for a health promotion reality TV series targeted at young adults.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the formative research process in developing an appealing health promotion TV series.
• Identify appealing health promoting TV program elements.
• Propose communication strategies to motivate young adults to take better care of their health.

Keywords: Health Promotion, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation