Cover not available

Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 24:1 (2018) ► pp.3–25

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
authorization required

Improving obesity prevention among university students through a tailored information design approach

 | University of Leeds
 | University of Leeds
Published online: 19 November 2018
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.24.1.02lon
University years are a critical period for weight gain primarily due to unhealthy changes in eating behavior in students. This is the first study to focus on the impact of tailored information design approaches on the awareness and retention of obesity related information, specifically by university students. A motion graphics was developed through a comprehensive user-centered research and design process that involved a scoping study (observation, questionnaire and focus group), usability testing (five stages of iteration), and a performance test. The results show low previous knowledge and a statistical significant impact on the understanding of information with a tailored user-centered motion graphics.
References (67)
Adefemi, K. & Awasthi, K. J. (2016). What works? Review of current health communication strategies for obesity control. The International Journal of Communication and Health, 81, 80–85.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
American College Health Association. (2008). National College Health Assessment spring 2007 reference group data report. Journal American College Health, 561, 469–79. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Babic, N., Pibernik, J. & Mrvac, N. (2008). Media Study: Motion Graphics. 50th International Symposium ELMAR–2008, 10–12 September 2008, Zadar, Croatia. Croatia, 499–502.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beier, S. (2012). Reading letters: designing for legibility. Amsterdam: BIS.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beier, S. & Dyson, M. C. (2014). The influence of serifs on ‘h’ and ‘i’: useful knowledge from design-led scientific research. Visible Language, 47(3), 74–95.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bellato, N. (2013). Infographics: A visual link to learning. eLearn, 12(1). [Online]. [Accessed 9 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL].
Black, A., Luna, P., Lunda, O. & Walker, S. (Eds). (2017). Information Design: Research and practice. London: Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group). Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Brigas, J. & F. Ramos. (2015). As infografias como ferramentas auxiliares para o ensino/aprendizagem. Revista de Comunicación de la SEECI, 19(36), 178–184.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Buckley, J. P., Hedge, A., Yates, T., Copeland, R. J., Loosemore, M., Hamer, M., Bradley, G. & Dunstan, D. W. (2015). The sedentary office: a growing case for change towards better health and productivity. Expert statement commissioned by Public Health England and the Active Working Community Interest Company. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(21), 1357–1362. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cluskey, M. & Grobe, D. (2009). College weight gain and behavior transitions: male and female differences. Journal American Diet Association, 109(2), 325–329. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Crook, I. & Beare, P. (2015). Motion graphics: Principles and practices from the ground up. London: Bloomsbury.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Deliens, T., Clarys, P., De Bourdeaudhuij, L. & Deforche, B. (2014). Determinants of eating behaviour in university students: a qualitative study using focus group discussions. BMC Public Health, 14(53), 1–12. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Deliens, T., Deforche, B., De Bourdeaudhuij, I. & Clarys, P. (2015). Changes in weight, body composition and physical fitness after 1.5 years at university. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 691, 1318–1322. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Delp, C. & Jones, J. (1996). Communicating information to patients: The use of cartoon illustrations to improve comprehension of instructions. Emergency Medicine, 3(3), 264–270.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dillon, A. (2017). Applying science to design: The quest for the bridging representation. In: A. Black, P. Luna, O. Lunda, S. Walker (Eds). Information Design: Research and practice (pp. 291–299). London: Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dixon, J. B. (2010). The effect of obesity on health outcomes. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 3161, 104–108. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dyson, M. C. (2017). Information design research. Why, when, who, what, and how? In: A. Black, P. Luna, O. Lunda, S. Walker (Eds). Information Design: Research and practice (pp. 435–449). London: Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Finke, T., Manger, S. & Fichtel, S. (2012). Informotion. Animated infographics. Berlin: Gestalten.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Guo, S. S., Wu, W., Chumlea, W. C. & Roche, A. F. (2002). Predicting overweight and obesity in adulthood from body mass index values in childhood and adolescence. American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 76(3), 653–658. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hartley, J., Trueman, M., Betts, L. & Brodie, L. (2006). What price presentation? The effects of typographic variables on essay grades. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 31(5), 523–534. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Höffler, T. N. & Leutner, D. (2007). Instructional animation versus static pictures: A Meta-Analysis. Learning and Instruction, 17(6), 722–738. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Houts, P. S., Doak, C. C., Doak, L. G. & Loscalzo, M. J. (2006). The role of pictures in improving health communication: a review of research on attention, comprehension, recall, and adherence. Patient Education and Counseling, 611, 173–190. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hsueh, C., Chou, J. & Ma, K. (2016). A Study of using motion for comparative visualization. In: IEEE Pacific Visualization Symposium 2016, 19–22 April, Taipei, Taiwan. California: IEEE, 219–223. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
ISO—The International Organization for Standardization. (2013). ISO/TS 20282-2:2013(en). Usability of consumer products and products for public use—Part 2: Summative test method. [Online]. [Accessed 28 January 2016]. Retrieved from [URL]Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Krasner, J. (2013). Motion graphic design. Applied history and aesthetics (3rd ed.). London: Focal Press (Taylor & Francis Group). Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
La Barge, G. (2007). Pre- and post-Testing with more impact. Journal of Extension, 45(6). [Online]. [Accessed 14 April 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Landa, R. (2016). Advertising by design. Generating & designing creative ideas across media (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Wiley. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lasseter, J. (1987). Principles of traditional animation applied to 3D computer animation. Computer Graphics, 21(4), 35–44. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Bailey, S., Fava, J. L. & Wing, R. (2009). A prospective study of weight gain during the college freshman and sophomore years. Preventive Medicine, 481, 256–261. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lofti, S. I. (2015). Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and overweight among Taif University Students, Taif, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 4(1), 98–106.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2014b). Typographic features of text: outcomes from research and practice. Visible Language, 48(3), 29–67.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2016). Typographic features of text and their contribution to the legibility of academic reading materials: An empirical study. Visible Language, 50(1), 79–111.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Nelson, M. C., Kocos, R., Lytle, L. A. & Perry, C. L. (2009). Understanding the perceived determinants of weight-related behaviors in late adolescence: a qualitative analysis among college youth. Journal Nutritional Education Behavior, 41(4), 21, 87–292.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Marquis, M. (2005). Exploring convenience orientation as a food motivation for college students living in residence halls. International Journal Consumer Studies, 29(1), 55–63. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mokdad, A. H., Serdula, M. K., Dietz, W. H., Bowman, B. A. Marks, J. S. & Koplan, J. P. (1999). The spread of the obesity epidemic in the United States. JAMA, 2821, 1519–22. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Musselman, R. W. (2013). Effect of ornamentation on the emotional response and perception of motion graphics. MA Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
NHS Choices. (2014). What are ‘reference intakes’ on food labels? [Online]. [Accessed 13 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
. (2015). Hidden causes of weight gain. [Online]. [Accessed 13 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Nielsen, J. (2012). Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. Nielsen Norman Group. [Online]. [Accessed 28 January 2016]. Retrieved from [URL]Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Occa, A. & Suggs, S. (2016). Communicating breast cancer screening with young women: An experimental test of didactic and narrative messages using video and infographics. Journal of Health Communication, 211, 1–11. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Onesimusix. (2015). ‘I Feel’—Emotional Word Wheel. [Online]. [Accessed 9 November 2016]. Retrieved from [URL]
Ozdaml, F., Kocakoyuna, S., Sahina, T. & Akdaga, S. (2016). Statistical reasoning of impact of infographics on education. Procedia Computer Science, 102(2016), 370–377. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Pannafino, J. (2015). 12 Basic Principles of Animation in Motion Design. HOW Magazine. [Online]. [Accessed 10 January 2016]. Retrieved from [URL]
Pernice, K. (2016). UX Prototypes: Low Fidelity vs. High Fidelity. Nielsen Norman Group. [Online]. [Accessed 10 January 2016]. Retrieved from [URL]
Pliner, P. & Saunders, T. (2008). Vulnerability to freshman weight gain as a function of dietary restraint and residence. Physiology & Behavior, 931, 76–82. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ross, J. (2015). 17 usability testing myths and misconceptions. UXmatters. [Online]. [Accessed 15 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Shafipoor, M., Sarayloo, R. & Shafipoor, A. (2016). Infographic (information graphic); a tool for increasing the efficiency of teaching and learning processes. International Academic Journal of Innovative Research, 3(4), 39–45.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Shaw, A. (2016). Design for motion. Fundamentals and techniques of motion design. Oxon: Focal press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Shir, M. F. D. & Asadollahi, M. (2014). The role of motion graphics in visual communication. Indian Journal Science Research, 7(1), 820–824.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Simmons, C. C. H. (2011). Just design: Socially conscious design for critical causes. Cincinnati, Ohio: How Books.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sofía, R. B. A., María, T. T. L., del Pilar, P. D. M., Dario, G. H., Adame, N. A. E & Guillermo, O. V. (2015). Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among university students of the health field in San Luis Potosí México. Health, 71, 328–335. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sparling, P. B. (2007). Obesity on campus. Preventing Chronic Disease. [Online]. 4(3), 1–4. [Accessed 5 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Stones, C. & Gent, M. (2016). The 7 graphic principles of public health Infographic Design. AHRC. [Accessed 16 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Strizver, I. (2014). Type rules! The designer’s guide to professional typography (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
The Guardian. (2016). The chicken shop mile and how Britain got fat [Online]. [Accessed 11 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Travis, D. (2009). Measuring satisfaction: Beyond the usability questionnaire. Userfocus. [Online]. [Accessed 14 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Tufte, E. R. (2004). The visual display of quantitative information (2nd ed.). Chesire: Graphics.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vadeboncoeur, C., Townsend, N. & Foster, C. (2015). A meta-analysis of weight gain in first year university students: is freshman 15 a myth? BMC Obesity, 2(22), 1–7. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vadeboncoeur, C., Foster, C. & Townsend, N. (2016). Freshman 15 in England: a longitudinal evaluation of first year university student’s weight change. BMC Obesity, 3(45), 1–9.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vella-Zarb, R. A. & Elgar, F. J. (2009). The ‘Freshman 5’: A Meta-Analysis of Weight Gain in the Freshman Year of College. Journal of American College Health, 58(2), 161–166. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2010). Predicting the ‘freshman 15’: Environmental and psychological predictors of weight gain in first-year university students. Health Education Journal, 69(3), 321–332. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Visscher, T. L. S. & Seidell, J. C. (2001). The public health impact of obesity. Annual Review of Public Health, 221, 355–75. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Walls, H., Peeters, A., Proietto, J. & McNeil, J. (2011). Public health campaigns and obesity—a critique. BMC Public Health, 11(136), 1–7. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Obesity and overweight. [Online]. [Accessed 9 January 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Willenskomer. I. (2017). Creating Usability with Motion: The UX in Motion Manifesto [Online]. [Accessed March 2017]. Retrieved from [URL]
Yıldırım, S. (2016). Infographics for Educational Purposes: Their Structure, Properties and Reader Approaches. TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 15(3).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (1)

Cited by one other publication

Kadir, Zahidah Abd & Safurah Abdul Jalil
2025. Smart Cities and Sustainability Awareness: Using Animated Infographics to Drive Sustainable Development. In Technology for Societal Transformation, ► pp. 283 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 11 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue