FRUVED Research Project: “Are Queens College Students Receptive to Healthy Snacking

Education?”

By: Amal El-Rowmeim, Angela Vita, and Irina Kravtchenko

ABSTRACT

The health status amongst college students is deteriorating, as this particular population

faces several barriers to healthy eating. These barriers include lack of nutrition education,

financial constraints, poor time management, and more. A nationwide program named FRUVED

was developed in response to the health concerns of this population. This research-based

movement promotes an interdisciplinary approach to targeting three specific wellness habits of

college students: food behavior, physical activity, and stress management. To support the

FRUVED movement, a cross-sectional study was designed to investigate Queens College

students’ receptiveness to healthy snacking education, in hopes of providing them with the

knowledge and skill-set necessary to make sound decisions regarding personal food choices. Pre

and post test questions were utilized to assess changes in nutrition knowledge before and after

the intervention. Results showed an improvement in 100% of post-test scores. The students level

of readiness to make healthier changes was also evaluated, which revealed a 15% increase post-

intervention.