Effects of a peer health coaching program on college student lifestyle behaviors.

Health coaching (HC) may promote healthy behaviors in incoming college students. 187 undergraduate students (76% female; age 18.6 ± 1.6) were recruited to participate in a peer HC program. Participants received four HC sessions in eight-weeks to work toward self-selected goals of physical activity (PA), diet, or stress management. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form, diet with the Eating Habits Confidence Survey, and stress with the Perceived Stress Scale. Repeated measures ANOVAs investigated lifestyle behavior changes in 130 participants. Significant effects of time were reported, with a 39.6% gain in PA, 9.9% increase in dietary habit, and 16.3% decline in stress levels with moderate to large effect sizes (η: 0.07-0.17; p< 0.01). The peer HC model promoted healthy lifestyles in college students. Additional research is needed to understand the effects of HC specifically for each goal, and student reactions to peer-led HC.