KaylaCookson.TV: An Online
Resource Providing Nutrition
Education to Young Adults
By
Kayla Rockwell
A Senior Project Submitted
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree
of Bachelor of Science in Food Science
Food Science and Nutrition Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA
December, 2010
Chapter I
There are nearly 14.4 million college students in the United States (Gow and
Trace, 2009), these students typically move to college within the age range of 18-29
years old and are classified as young adults. Consequently little information and
resources have been allocated towards the study of eating habits and nutrition
education knowledge of college students. One study found weight gain during the first
semester of college is estimated to range from 3.5 to 7.8 lbs (Lloyd-Richardson and
others, 2006). There are many factors which influence diet and eating habits in college
students these may include: living arrangements, gender, year in school, major, and
other cultural and family practices.
Nutrition knowledge is the primary factor influencing and ultimately, dictating
healthy eating habits in this demographic. There are numerous methods which nutrition
education may be effectively presented. An example of a website,
www.Kaylacookson.tv (“Kayla Cooks On Tv”) seeks to address the lack of nutrition
information directed at college students and young adults. “Kayla Cooks on Tv” is an
original website which brings together the necessary tools and resources for young
adults to approach in a convenient and straightforward manner so that they may make
the most healthful choices possible and decrease potential weight gain throughout their
years in college as well as into their adult lives. The various tools found on the website
include: cooking videos, recipes, blog posts, tips, links, photos, and nutrition
information. In an age where a vast number of college students have access to and
utilize the the world wide web, the use of internet interventions have not been utilized to
the full potential and may be particularly effective with young adults whose generation
have been particularly distinguished with high participation rates concerning internet
usage.
The purpose of the website “Kayla Cooks on TV” is to target the lack of nutrition
education resources available to college students with internet as the chosen medium to
address a population which seems to otherwise, be overlooked. The habits that are
formed as students become independent will shape the decisions they make for the rest
of their lives. This furthermore highlights the importance of equipping young adults with
the right tools and more importantly addressing them through effective communication
channels which are captivating and useful to its users. The feasibility of this route is
highly successful as the cost and other related input factors required for an internet
intervention are relatively low as compared to other education outlets (newspaper,
college course, etc). Individuals with high body mass index (BMI) and who fall into the
obese range are linked to experience numerous negative health and psychosocial
outcomes as a result (Gow, and others, 2009). With the use of effective internet
interventions the prevalence of unhealthy eating habits and unnecessary weight gain in
college students can be significantly decreased. Therefore, the purpose of this
literature review is to access the effectiveness of a comprehensive nutrition education
website for college students in preventing weight gain and creating healthy eating habits
for a lifetime.
