The effectiveness of health education and motivational messaging intervention on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours in overweight and obese female university students: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Introduction: Obesity among female university students in Saudi Arabia has become a critical public health concern. This study assesses the effects of health education and motivational messaging on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours among overweight and obese female students at Northern Border University. Methods: A cluster-randomised controlled trial, employing a multistage sampling method, will be conducted among 250 female students aged 18-24 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. Colleges will be randomly assigned to a college-based intervention or a control group. The intervention, grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and the Health Belief Model, will include six weekly in-person health education sessions (90 minutes each), followed by motivational messaging via WhatsApp over six weeks. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up, with an additional intervention group assessment three months post-follow-up to assess weight loss motivators. Primary outcomes will include BMI and waist circumference reductions and improvements in obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Secondary outcomes will include enhanced dietary intake, increased physical activity, reduced disordered eating, and decreased sedentary behaviour. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and Generalised Estimation Equation analysis to evaluate the intervention’s effects. Discussion: The study intends to generate evidence-based insights for sustainable and culturally tailored strategies and to promote healthier lifestyles to combat obesity.

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