Abstract

Objective: The potential for promoting nutrition and exercise to high school students is examined using brief duration educational videos. Teenage students routinely use and share internet videos for learning and leisure, but they could be a useful health tool. The purpose was to see if brief health videos will increase health behavior, concern or their interest in health, as measured by a self-assessment questionnaire of their weekly exercise and diet.

Methods: After a baseline health questionnaire, participants watched five brief health videos and then did repeat questionnaires 10 and 20 days later to assess for change.

Results: The data showed that students watching videos had a significant increase in concern about being healthy, and a perception of a benefit in their diet, exercise and interest in being healthier. However, a measurable change in their exercise and eating behavior as a result of the videos was not shown.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that brief health videos may be useful in promoting health awareness in high school students.

Keywords: Health video education; Health behavior; High school health; Prevention; Wellness