M any university students are at increased risk of obesity largely because of poor dietary intake. 1-3 Students have reported lack of time, low availability of healthy food options, taste preferences and financial constraints as barriers to healthy eating. 4 Increased independence, combined with peer pressure and academic demands, also places students at high risk of poor nutrition-related behaviours. A recent survey of 34 Canadian universities and colleges revealed that only 54% of students had received nutrition information from their post-secondary institution, yet 67% are interested in receiving information on this topic. 5 Peer health education is defined as "the teaching or sharing of health information, attitudes, values, and behaviors by members of groups who are similar in age or experiences". 6 Peer nutrition education, analogous to peer health education, has been shown to be effective in the university population. A short-term evaluation of peer education showed that students at a primarily Hispanic-American college campus increased their nutrition knowledge and their fruit and vegetable consumption; however, proposed changes to the campus food environment (i.e., increasing the number of healthy menu items) encountered resistance from upper management. 7 A longitudinal evaluation of a peer health education program at the University of California demonstrated that peer health educators play an important role in promoting healthy behaviours related to alcohol use and weight management. 6 Peer mentors are also more likely to gain skills that are valued highly by employers (e.g., self-direction, communication, leadership and management, creativity and innovation). 8 These results suggest that peer-to-peer interaction may be an effective way to improve university students' food-and nutrition-related attitudes and behaviours.
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