Managing weight in the middle of college life is a massive challenge. Between late-night study sessions and quick campus meals, finding a healthy rhythm is hard. A secondary analysis of two large trials looked at how a multi-part lifestyle program—which focuses on diet, exercise, and stress management—impact to help college-aged students.
The results were encouraging for some habits. Students in the program reported eating more fruits and vegetables and getting more sleep compared to those who didn't participate. For non-Hispanic students, the boost in produce intake was particularly notable.
However, the program didn't work the same way for everyone. While Hispanic women in the group ate less processed meat like bacon and sausage, Black participants reported higher intake of processed meats. We also saw that Hispanic men had higher body weight and waist circumference compared to their peers.
Because these results varied so much by race, ethnicity, and sex, it suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach might not be enough. To truly help every student, future programs might need strategies tailored to specific cultural backgrounds and genders.