These findings are consistent with previous studies regarding
college-based obesity prevention programs that suggest
that it may be easier to affect factors related to nutritional
behaviors than exercise behaviors. As Harring et al25 point
out, some college students may find changes to their diet
easier to implement than changes in their levels of physical
activity. Likewise, the lack of program impact on students’
attitudes toward exercise and exercise behaviors may reflect
the fact that the MSB-Nutrition program places greater emphasis
on aspects of healthy eating related to weight control
rather than physical activity. However, it is equally likely that
theMSB-Nutrition program may not be sufficient to generate
a sustainable reduction in excess body weight without significant
modification. In fact, recent evidence indicates that a
combination of a reduction in caloric intake and an increase
in physical activity are critically important to produce longterm
weight loss.26 Therefore, the MSB-Nutrition program
could be modified by college health educators in a number
of ways to increase students’ physical activity levels and decrease
obesity by including physical activity modules in the
actual program itself and the use of existing college-based
recreation and fitness centers.