Health comm class projact

Promoting Healthy Behaviors Among Freshman Students at Gannon University

Health Communication Campaign

COMM 515/393

December 4, 2018

Emad Alsehey

Nicholas Humes

Dawna Mughal

Aeshah Owaydhah

Kristen Webster

Goal

To promote healthy behaviors among freshmen students at Gannon University

Situation Analysis

Dawna’s feedback/suggestion Dec 2:

Introductory statement here to connect the secondary  research and primary research to assess the situation and the problems. For example

We analyzed the situation by reviewing the literature to identify the studies that have been conducted on Freshman 15.  Specifically, we looked for the weight gain, obesity rates in youth and the consequences of obesity pointing to the importance of early prevention and intervention and to the factors that contribute to weight gain in students during their first year in college. We also conducted primary research on campus by surveying a small group of freshman students for the same purpose.  The results of secondary and primary results follow.

Then Dawna will add her literature review here.

I have a substantial  narrative as background to discuss the problems and describe the situation.

The results of the primary research will follow.

The freshman 15 refers to the major concern that students start gaining weight and experience a large increase in their body mass index (BMI) during their first year of college as a result of the unhealthy meal choices, large meals portions, snack consumptions and lack of physical activity. (Mihalopoulos, N. L., Auinger, P., & Klein, J. D., 2008). Studies were conducted on freshmen from both genders male and female to determine the effectiveness of gender on freshman 15 phenomena. This research is studying the impact of freshmen 15 phenomena on both genders while considering their housing status if they live on campus or if they are commuters. Also, it is studying their physical activities and nutrition choices with keeping in mind the dramatic increase in obesity among US population.(Mihalopoulos, N. L., Auinger, P., & Klein, J. D., 2008).

Researchers were divided regarding the impact of the weight that gained during the Freshmen year and resulted in the freshman 15 phenomena. Some researchers suggested that freshmen gain as much as 15 Ibs. during their first year of college, where others suggested that the gain is so minimal. (Mihalopoulos, N. L., Auinger, P., & Klein, J. D., 2008).

Research

Secondary Research:

What is “Freshman 15”?

        It is a belief and widely popularized in the media that students will gain 15 lbs. during their first year in the university (Vella-Zarb, 2010).

Studies showed that freshmen’s weight gain varied widely, but not as much as expected in the “Freshman 15” phenomenon. Weight gain in one study was small (3 lbs.) but significant. Majority (2/3) of the freshmen in the study gained weight.  An important predictor was living on campus. Stress was not associated with weight gain.

Although the weight gain is small, it needs attention because this weight gain often continues to later adulthood (Thompson, 2013) Vadevonlower, 2015)

Obesity Rate

        Obesity is a national epidemic.  It is a concern because it is associated with chronic health problems (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular diseases) and increases health care cost (CDC 2018).

        (Will include the numbers/statistics to each of these later)

       

        Obesity rates are high in children and adolescents and young adults (CDC).

        Higher prevalence in African Americans and Hispanics, compared to White. Lowest prevalence among Asians.

        Gender: Higher prevalence in women

        Increasing prevalence in college-aged students

Definition of obesity

Uses body mass index, a rough measure; not diagnostic of health status, but is used often because it is practical (CDC, 2018)

       

Body mass index

Weight Status

Below 18.5   Underweight

18.5 – 24.9    Normal or Healthy Weight

25.0 – 29.9    Overweight

30.0 and Above Obese

Factors associated with freshmen’s weight gain (McKinney, 2013, Abraham, 2018)

“The students are knowledgeable that consuming fast food, soda, and processed food

are unhealthy and they contain additives. They indicated strong agreement to keep themselves

hydrated and choosing food because of taste preference. Even though majority admitted eating

fresh fruits, a significant number consume processed food such as chips, cookies, and cereal

based on convenience. Smartphone resources, vending machine use, and drinking soda were

their least frequently used habits.

Conclusion: Students have a fair knowledge of nutritional requirements for health; however,

food choices they make are not necessarily healthy. Convenience and taste of food were priority.” (Abraham, 2018)

Lifestyle behaviors (diet and physical activity)

Low intake of fruits and vegetables,

Environmental factors: Buffet eating style, frequent fast foods, living arrangement (knowledge and skills to choose and prepare healthy foods) (McKinney et al, 2013)

“Students identified the barriers to not eating healthy food as: limited time, reliance on unhealthy

foods, and limited knowledge about healthy foods. Temptation, lack of discipline, and being

bored were reported as contributing to unhealthy eating. The participants also felt that the

unhealthful foods served at university cafeterias increased the difficulty of eating healthy,

maintaining a healthy weight, and not overeating. Students believed purchasing healthy foods

was expensive, which hindered them from eating healthy. Participants stated that eating in

moderation, watching portion size, and not exceeding a daily calorie limit were the choices

required to regulate food intake and maintain a healthy weight.” (McKinney, 2013)

Majors in college (Humanities compared to Business and Engineering and sciences)

Adequate sleep

Family relationships (Parental support)

Messages that parents communicate (about their own weight and the weight of their children) to their children: Have emotional effect on the children and how children struggle with their weight. (Thompson, 2013).

Some students fear Freshman 15 and develop eating disorder because they restrict what they eat to avoid weight gain.

“Root Causes

• Eating late at night

• Eating unhealthy cafeteria food

• Keeping unhealthy snacks and food on hand in the

dorm room

• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

• Energy drinks

• Cheap food coupons and offers

• Fast food delivery to dorm rooms

• Skipping meals

• Lack of exercise

• Poor nutritional skills and education

• Poor sleep habits and sleep deprivation

• Not understanding what their bodies need nutritionally to be healthy”

(Julie Janeway,n.d.)

Tips

“Make it about health, not about looks,

image, or anything else

Don’t skip meals.

Avoid eating unhealthy cafeteria food.

Don’t linger.

Don’t linger.”

Plus several more

(Julie Janeway,n.d.)

Knowing contributing factors to weight gain can help academic institutions design intervention programs for freshmen

Primary Research

Methodology:Methods  (See my comments. DTM) My suggestions are in blue font. Excuse the typos for now. Nov 22, 2018)

Our group used a survey to collect relevant data from freshmen(what tool was used?  urvey Monkey or something else? ).The questionnaire included background information, including sociodemographic  variables, academic major and living arrangement. The questionnaire used a Likert Scale to assess the respondents’ degree of agreement with the statements in the questionnaire.. The scale used a rating of 1 to 5, where 1 represents strongly disagree and 5 strongly agree. Appendix A siaplays the questionnaire. (Dawna’s note.  The survey questionnaire needs better formatting and presentation.)

The survey period was from (list the date to ..list the date). (Commnets This section by Dawna)

Data analysis

The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics ( distribution of the respondents by gender, age, academic major, and living arrangement (live off-campus or on-campus). Dawna’s question:  Who summarized the data? Did we get these details ? How many respondents by age group,male and female, academic major? The ethnicity information is important because this can affect students’ perception of Freshman 15.  We need to describe the composition of the group, (Dawna)

Results

Use a table to summarize the result and discuss the results briefly.  Put the details--the bar graphs in the Appendix , similar to the questionnaire (Dawna)

Quantitative research was performed by asking 17 Gannon freshmen (who live on/off campus, from different ethnicity background and genders) to go to the link below and answer the nine survey questions concerning the  “Freshman 15”.

Survey Link: https://qtrial2018q4az1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lrOOmdVlUS6nml

Survey Questions :

1. I  am concerned about the “ freshman 15”.

   1  2 3 4 5

 Strongly Disagree                                                                           Strongly Agree

2. I workout regularly.

1  2 3 4 5

 Strongly Disagree                                                                           Strongly Agree

3. I frequently eat campus food.

1                         2            3            4           5

Strongly Disagree                                                                            Strongly Agree

4. I tend to pick the healthier food options on campus.

1                         2            3            4           5

Strongly Disagree                                                                            Strongly Agree

5. I eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

1                         2            3            4           5

Strongly Disagree                                                                            Strongly Agree

                                             

6. I limit the amount of sugar I consume.

1                         2            3            4           5

Strongly Disagree                                                                            Strongly Agree

7. I feel my current weight is healthy for me.

1                         2            3            4           5

Strongly Disagree                                                                            Strongly Agree

Demographics

Age:

Male or female:  Male Female

Living on campus:  On Campus Off Campus

Academic major:

Race/Ethnicity

	Strongly Disagree                 1 1 1	DDisagree   2	NNeither  agree nor Disagree       3	AAgree           4	StStrongly AAgree                5	N  Not Aapplicable     NA
1.Q1. I am concerned about “”Freshman 15.”	1	2	3	4	5
2.Q2.  I work out regularly	1	2	3	4	5
4. Q3. I frequently eat campus       foods. f	1	2	3	4	5
5.Q4. I tend to pick the healthier food options on campus	1	2	3	4	5
Q5. I eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
Q6.I limit the amount of sugar I consume.
Q7. I feel my current weight is healthy for me.

Results:  need titles on graphs

Q1 - 1. I am concerned about the “ freshman 15”

The responses reflect the low concern for “Freshmen 15” among Gannon freshmen students as only 29% of the student showed concern. The lack of concern for the Freshman 15 raises the need to increase the awareness of the matter toward healthier eating habits.

Dawna:  Nov 15.A note:  Graphics like this have to have appropriate titles. Such as Figure 1. Students’ responses (n=17) to question 2 (I work out regularly).  As I have suggested, presenting results in a summary table makes it easy to see the data in one table.)

Q2 - I workout regularly:

23.53% of the respondents agreed/strongly agreed to the regular work out question. Their answer may reflect  their significant knowledge of the importance of physical activity.

Q3 - I frequently eat campus food.

58.83% of the respondents indicated that they frequently eat campus foods. Their responses indicate the importance of working with Gannon’s cafeterias to provide more healthier food options.

Dawna’s comment: Dec 2:  Raw data shown on the table need to be summarized and formatted differently for the revised version. Normally, output data are not used as is.  No need to show maximum and minimum. Items are selected from the raw data. The bar graphs are fine. These are figures and need to be numbered and tiled. It’s just the nature of the”beast.”.

Q4 - I tend to pick the healthier food options on campus

30% of  the respondents agreed that they tend to pick healthier food options which indicates that 70%  of the freshman are not choosing the healthier food options on campus. The respondents’ answer indicated that this group needs more education on healthy diets.

Example of a table summarizing the responses.  Can be efined for now an example

Table  No, Summary of  students’ responses to the survey questions.  You can continue filling the spaces. I round off the numbers to make it easy to type.But when you re-do this table, please check all the numbers and copy the full numbers.  I cannot see the small printout

Question	Storngly disagrree Percent (%) and N	Disagree Percent and N	Neither diagree or agrree Perceb and N	Agree Percent and N	Stronlg agree Percent and N	Mean + Std Deviation
Q1. I am concerned about “”Freshman 15.	41 (N-7	29 n-5	0	29 n=5	0	2.18+1.25
Q 2.I work out regularly	17	5	5	41	29
Q 3I frequently eat campus foods	17	23	0	41	17
Q4 I tend to choose healthier options on campus	50 5	20 2		30 3
Q5I eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day	35 6	41 7	11 2	11 2	0
Q 6I limit the amount of sugar I eat	23 4	29 5	11 2	23 4	11 2
Q7 I feel my weight is healthy for me	5 2	17 3	11 2	58 10	5 1

Another table describing the characteristics of the survey respondents.  Then we discuss this in the primary research, indicating that they do not represent the freshman population at Gannon. Therefore their answers plus the limitations of the questionnaire do not give is adequate information regarding the situation at Gannon.  It’s too late now. But we could have asked enrollment services or student services how many freshmen live off campus. If they live at home, they are commuters. If they are older than the typical freshman. They can live on their own. Heidi at Commuters dept will know.

Table_ Description of the  Freshman 15 survey respondents (N-17)

Age	Gender	Housing Arrangement	Race	Academic major
	Male N=?	Female N=?	On campus N=?	Off campus N=?	Can just make a long list here White American Black American Etc.  Or can add this at the footnote of the table	Can make a list or add it at the footnote of the table> Or group them such as Health sciences. Enginnering, etc

Example. List the race and the number of students. Same for the academic majors.  It does not look neat like a table but the information is there.

Q5 - I eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day

Only 11.76% of the freshman students agreed that they eat five serving of fruits and vegetables a day, where 76.47% of the freshman disagreed/strongly disagreed. The majority of the respondents “disagreed” with the statement that they eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day .This finding is consistent with the literature and points to the need to develop innovative ways to help freshmen students eat more fruits and vegetables.

Q6 - I limit the amount of sugar I consume.

The majority of the respondents strongly disagree/disagree that they limit the amount of sugar they consume.  This can be interpreted that they eat more sugar than the recommended limit, which is no more than 5% of the total day’s calories (needs cited).

Q7 - I feel my current weight is healthy for me.

64.7% of the respondents agreed/strongly agree that they have a healthy weight…. Maybe add more here

Q8 - Gender

5 more females than males completed the survey.

Q9 - Living on/off campus

A majority of the 17 respondents live off campus.

Target Audience Analysis

The transition from high school to college often results in drastic changes to an individual's environment and resources and these changes impact health- related behaviors (Wengreen, & Moncur 2009). The phenomenon of gaining weight during an individual’s first year of college is familiar to most college students.  This is why the key audience identified for this intervention were college freshman ages 18- 20. This audience includes freshman students living on campus, and freshman students living off campus.

Generation Z College Freshman:

Current college freshman between the ages of 18-20 were born between 1998 and 2000. This age group are classified as being in Generation Z which consists of individuals born between 1995- 2012 (Robinson ,2018). On average, Generation Z individuals use their smartphones 15.4 hours per week (Kleinschmit, 2018). This is more than any other device. This generation also consumes 13.2 hours of TV content per week (Kleinschmit, 2018). Traditional marketing does not work for Generation Z (Kleinschmit, 2018). Marketers need to embrace technology and new ways of storytelling. Generation Z customers respond to edgy and visual marketing tactics (Kleinschmit, 2018). Videos, especially short ones work particularly well with young customers (Kleinschmit, 2018).  These individuals are accustomed to high-tech and multiple information sources , with messaged bombarding them from all sides (Williams & Page, 2011). They have never lived without the internet and value authenticity and “ realness” (Williams & Page, 2011). Peer acceptance is very important to Generation Z, they need to belong (Williams & Page, 2011).

Social Media Usage:

Some 78% of 18- to 24 -year- olds use Snapchat, and a large majority of these users visit the social media platform multiple times per day (Smith, & Anderson 2018). Similarly, 71% of Americans in this age groups now use Instagram and close to half (45%) are Twitter users (Smith, & Anderson 2018). Facebook usage is low among Generation Z compared to older generations who tend to utilize facebook more frequently. When asked in a study which online platforms this age group used the most, only 10% said facebook (Solon, 2018). Another research group predicted that facebook would lose a further 2.1 million users under the age of 25 just this year (Solon, 2018). There were also some differences found between gender and ethnicity and social media use. Females are more likely to identify snapchat as their most used site, while males are more likely to choose YouTube (Solon, 2018). African Americans are more likely than white teens to identify Facebook as their go-to platform, while white teens are more likely to identify Snapchat as their most used platform (Solon, 2018).  

Survey data from this campaign plan helped to determine how a subset of freshman students at gannon feel about the freshman 15. Research concluded that out of the 17 students surveyed the respondents  had a low concern regarding the freshman 15. This data highlights the importance of bringing awareness to the issue. A majority of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they worked out regularly, while only 30% of  the respondents agreed that they tend to pick healthier food options. This suggests the importance on focusing on healthy eating in this campaign. One of the more drastic comparisons was between students that agreed they eat five servings of vegetables a day compared to respondents that do not.  Only 11.76% of the freshman students agreed that they eat five serving of fruits and vegetables a day, where 76.47% of the freshman disagreed/strongly disagreed. The majority of the respondents also strongly disagree or disagree that they limit the amount of sugar they consume. This suggests the importance on focusing on healthy eating in this campaign. A majority of the respondents, 58.82% stated that they live off campus. If we are considering just the data we have collected, it can be assumed that the majority off Gannon freshman live off campus and we should spend additional time targeting them.

Key Messages

· Be smart, eat healthy, live healthy and prevent Freshman 15.

· Live healthy and in shape by adding vegetables, fruits, and physical exercise to your daily plate.

· Fruits and vegetables with regular exercise in daily bases, are the smart college students’ choices.

· Healthy diet with regular exercise is smarter choice by smarter college students.

Dawna commented Nov 25:  I suggest the following key messages as examples.  I will refine the sentences later I am listing the main concepts for now

Prevent Freshman 15.  Freshman 15 has been popularized as an “event” when  students generally gain 15 lbs during their freshman year in college. We know, however, that they gain an average of about 3 lbs during the first semester. Although the weight gain is small, it can lead to more weight gain later on in life. Excess body weight is associated with chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and psychological issues.(Cite reference here). Healthy lifestyle behaviors can help maintain a healthy weight.   Focus on health and not on weight. Many resources are available that can help your maintain good health during your freshman year. Use what works best for you, (This can be condensed/shortened)

Maintain good health. Maintaining good health can help you learn better in school, do the physical and social activities you enjoy, and overall feel better.

Choose a healthy diet. A healthy diet, regular  physical activity, and other healthy behaviors greatly contribute to your health.

A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from each of the five food groups, in the amount and proportion that meet your calorie needs. It should focus on a total dietary pattern that meets your cultural and personal preferences and resources. Include healthy fats (Unsaturated) and limit added sugar and salt/sodium.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. They are important part of a healthy eating pattern. They are low in calories and are packed with vital minerals and vitamins essential to your health. They contain no cholesterol, almost no fat and sodium. The dietary fiber can help control blood cholesterol level and blood sugar level (in people with diabetes). It can also promote digestive health and makes you feel full, thereby reducing food intake.

Fruits and vegetables are convenient, delicious, and nutritious  snacks which can be eaten on-the go (Cite references here).

Don’t  skip meals…

Eat a good breakfast….

Control the portion you eat especially when eating fast foods and  snack foods, and when eating at cafeterias and buffets. These foods are high in calories, fat, sodium/fat and cholesterol.

Do regular physical activity.  (Note: List the recommended amount for yong people.  The information 2018 is in USDA Guidelines or CDC. Physical activity along with healthy diet  can help maintain healthy weight and overall well-being.

Get adequate sleep and rest. Sleep and rest are important to your health. Get more specifics and cite the reference.

Objectives/ Strategies/Tactics

Objective 1: To get 50% of our target audiences to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, by the end of the 2019 academic year.

Strategy One: Collaborate with METZ, the Knight Club, and the Fresh Cafe to provide students with the knowledge needed to make healthier eating choices.

Tactic One: Create a large pop-up banner and place it next to the front desk in the  Byer Cafeteria. The banner will feature a picture of a plate from the cafeteria but has appropriate portions of fruits, vegetables, grain, and meat on it. This will start freshman thinking about portion control and encourage them to eat a balanced diet. The banner will say “This is it chief! Make sure you get your 5 servings of Fruit and Veggies each day.

Tactic Two: Work with the Knight club to create new menus. These menus will feature a coding system that will let the patron know which choices are healthier and which are unhealthy. Each food item will have the calories listed next to it as well.

Tactic Three: Create door hangers that have information regarding healthy eating. They will be a guide on how to eat healthy as an on campus student. With the help of Metz, the Knight club, and fresh cafe we will create 4 door hangers that each feature a different day of eating healthy. For example there will be a healthy breakfast choice from Byer Cafe, a healthy lunch option from Fresh cafe, and a healthier dinner choice at the knight club. We will put one variation of the hangers on each dorm room door handle.

Strategy Two: Collaborate with the “Commuter Corner” to provide commuter students with general healthy eating information.

Tactic One: Work with Heidi Noyes, the director of commuter life to hold an event in the commuter corner where we show the students how to create a cheap, healthy, meal at home.

Example of breakfast: Jennings (2018)

Lunch: Bruno, A. (2018)

Dinner: Food Network. (2017)

Tactic Two: Hand out flyers to students as they sign in to the commuter corner that have a guide to eating healthy at home on it. This will feature one of the recipes from Tactic One. It will feature nutritional facts of healthier food choices and contrast them to junk food choices. It will  also have the average caloric intake goal for men and woman on it and the recommended servings for the main food groups

Strategy Three: Use social media to target our audience.

Tactic One: Create a Video to be shared on youtube. This will be a 15-30 second video meant to dispel the myths surrounding the Freshman 15. It will inform the viewer that they are only likely to gain around 3 pounds but even that can have negative effects later in life. It will also inform them that not eating or eating only a small amount is an appropriate way to avoid the weight gain. You must nourish your body correctly. It will then contain a call to action and tell them to visit a website where they can enter in their height and weight and level of activity to get a starting point for their nutrition. It will tell them the number of calories they should aim for each day, which foods to avoid and which to favor.

Tactic Two: Create a website to inform students about healthy eating, the reality of the freshman 15, gives them a starting point for what and how much to eat, and encourage them to get other friends to visit the site. It will do this by listing recipes that are healthy, tasty, and are for 2 or more people.

Tactic Three: Host a contest on snapchat. Post flyers around campus that have the contest information. On the second and last friday of each month from February 2019 until April 2019 if students add “GUHealthfulEating” on snapchat and post a picture of their healthy meal for the day and add the caption “Eating healthy at GU” they will be entered into a random drawing for a 10 dollar gift card to Fresh Cafe.

Objective 2: To get 60% of our target audiences to be physically active for an hour each day by the end of the 2019 academic year.

Strategy One: Work with the Gannon Recreation center to provide information about the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Tactic One: Set up a table in the Waldron Campus center with Rec center staff to distribute information regarding the rec center. Hours of operation, times the pool is open, fitness class schedules, what to wear, what not to bring, a basic exercise routine. All of this information will be in a tri-fold pamphlet.

Tactic Two: Work with the Rec Center to set up an event where freshman can sign up for a free session with a trainer at the Rec center. There will be 4 sessions, each falling on the first monday of each month starting in February. These sessions will be with a trainer and they will explain to the group how to use each machine in the center, how to decide which exercises to do, how long and often they should exercise. This will acquaint the students with the concept of going to the gym and help break the ice and make them more comfortable visiting it.

Tactic Three: Work with the Rec Center to create signs to post along AJ’s way. The signs will start near the Palumbo Academic Center and run all the way to the Recreation center. The signs will feature information on exercising. Why it is beneficial, myths, and how to make it easy. They will also act as a guide to the Rec Center. There will be arrows with phrases such as “this way to get swole”.

Tactic Four: Work with the Rec Center to create a system where a student can login to the Gannon Website or visit the Wellness and Fitness website that we will create and see an estimate of how busy the rec is that hour. This could work based on taking the average number of people visiting the Rec each day for a month and organizing the average amount of people there each day and at what times. This will help students plan when they visit the Rec Center. Students that may be anxious about being near many people can try and visit during times when the traffic is low.

Strategy Two: Work with the “Commuter Corner” to provide information to commuter students.

Tactic One: Work with Heidi Noyes to organize a commuter fitness presentation. It will feature  general fitness information and tips on staying active at home. A commuter student may not have class and will not want to drive or get a ride to campus. The exercises and tips for them will be calisthenics they can do anywhere and tips for jogging in their neighborhoods.

Tactic Two: Work with the commuter corner to hold a giveaway for an at home fitness starter basket. The basket will have several items including, all the pamphlets and information from previous tactics, a reusable water bottle, a jump rope, a small dumbbell and a yoga mat. To enter the student has to sign into the commuter corner.

Strategy Three: Use social media to target our audience.

Tactic One: Host a contest on snapchat. Post flyers around campus that have the contest information. On the first and third friday of each month from February 2019 until April 2019 if students add the Gannon Rec Center on snapchat and post a picture of a gym selfie that week and add the caption related to exercising they will be entered into a random drawing for a 10 dollar gift card to Fresh Cafe.

Tactic Two: Create a virtual trainer video. This will serve as an option for students who are not able to attend one of the in person tours. The staff in the video will demonstrate how to use several of the most popular machines and demonstrate a few exercises using barbells and dumbbells.

Tactic Three: Create a page on the previous website dedicated to fitness and exercise. The page will link to the official Gannon Rec Center page. As a quick glance splash page it will feature hours of operation, if the rec is open that day, the classes offered that day, and if the Rec is particularly busy. It will host simple, visual explanations for beginner exercises.

Objective 3: 60% “Freshman 15” awareness increase among Gannon students by  the end of 2019.

Strategy 1: Collaborate with METZ, the Knight Club, and the Fresh Cafe to increase awareness of the freshman 15.

Tactic 1: Create fortune cookies that contain informational messages about the freshman 15 and how it can be prevented. These can be given out at meals at the METZ, the Knight Club, and the Fresh Cafe.

Tactic 2: Create flyers that can be given out when you order a meal at the METZ, the Knight Club, and the Fresh Cafe. These can explain what the “ freshman 15” is so students are more aware that this can happen to them.

Strategy 2: Use social media to spread awareness.

Tactic 1: Create an infographic to be placed on Gannon’s freshman facebook page. This can contain informative information about the “freshman 15” and ways that that they can be proactive and try to avoid it.

Tactic 2: Create a short 1 minute video with a sophomore student that explains the “freshman 15”. This video can explain how this student handled the threat of the “freshman 15” and what they did to stay healthy their first year away from home. The video will also be made available to be shared to further increase awareness.  

Strategy 3: Work with the Gannon Recreation center to increase awareness of the “freshman 15”.

Tactic 1: Create posters that can be hung on the walls throughout the recreation center. This way as students walk throughout the center they are learning educational information about the freshman 15.

Tactic 2: NEED ONE MORE TACIC I CANT THINK LOL

Dawna’s comments Dec 2:  Jenny in the last class said to have too many.  I mentioned to her the guidelines say “multiple”.  But she said we have to be realistic that eplan is doable.  I vote for only two tactics per strategy> When you have all these tactics, the evaluation plan can be lengthy because they are connected to the strategies and tactics.

Evaluation Plan

Several tools can be used in order to evaluate the progress and success of achieving the goal and objectives of the campaign.  

Objective 1: To get 50% of our target audiences to make healthier, more informed eating choices by the end of the 2019 academic year.

Tool 1: Track the amount of shares the youtube video receives.

Tool 2: Track the number of people that go onto the website that informs students about healthy eating.

Tool 3: Track how many students add “GUHealthfulEating” on snapchat.

Objective 2: To get 60% of our target audiences to be physically active for an hour each day by the end of the 2019 academic year.

Tool 1: Track how many freshman students sign up for a free session with a trainer at the recreation and wellness center.  Dawna’s  opinion: I think this is unrealistic.  Many people can be physically active without signing up for a trainer. Any alternatives here?

Tool 2: Using a sign up sheet, track how many students attend the commuter’s fitness presentation.

Tool 3: Track how many students participate in the contest on snapchat, by tracking how many students post their gym selfie.

Objective 3: 60% “Freshman 15” awareness increase among Gannon students by  the end of 2019.

Tool 1: Track how many fortune cookies that contain informational messages about the freshman 15 are handed out.

Tool 2: Track how many students share the freshman 15 informational video.

References (add your references in alphabetical order)

Bruno, A. (2018, October 01). 16 Healthy Lunches That Cost Less Than $2 to Make. Retrieved from https://www.self.com/gallery/healthy-lunches-under-two-dollars

Food Network. (2017, January 27). Budget-Friendly Healthy Recipes. Retrieved from https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/photos/budget-friendly-healthy-dinners

Jennings, K., & R.D. (2018, April 25). Healthy Breakfasts for Less Than $1. Retrieved from https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/healthy-breakfasts-for-less-than--1

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