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

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Exercise Adherence

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06964880

Run by

China Medical University Hospital

People needed

50

Starts

2025-05-01

Expected to finish

2025-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2025-05-11

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 25. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Undergraduate students in years 1 to 4 at a medical university in central Taiwan
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23 and 27 or body fat percentage between 25% and 35%
• Aged 18 to 25 years
• No diagnosis of any chronic disease

You may not qualify if…

• University students with restricted limb movement who are unable to exercise according to instructions.
• Any condition that may restrict the proper use of a dynamometer (e.g., hand pain, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis).

Where it is running

• Ya-Ling Tzeng — Taichung, Taiwan (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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