Impact of a Short-Term Behaviour Change Communication Intervention on Digital Behaviour and Physical Health among Business School Students

Abstract

Background and Aims: Various physical health issues can arise from prolonged digital exposure among students. Increased screen time leads to decreased physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle, resulting issues such as eyestrain, headaches, fatigue, muscular issues such as neck pain and backaches, obesity etc. Behaviour Change Interventions can help in addressing digital behaviours and their influence on physical health among B-school students. In view of the limited studies conducted on this aspect, our study aimed to explore the impact of such interventions to generate awareness and bring about a change in behaviours thereby leading to improved physical health outcomes. Study Design: The study was short term interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was of six months duration from September 2024 to February 2025 conducted among students of a B-school in Mumbai. Methodology: 126 B-school students were recruited in the study. Intervention included initial awareness session, teaching of simple physical exercises to be practised daily, follow up and reminder sessions. Post-intervention, no significant change was observed in the level of physical health status, level of physical activity of the students and change in nutrition habits. Results: 126 B-school students were recruited in the study. Post-intervention, no significant change was observed in the level of physical health status, level of physical activity of the students and change in nutrition habits. Conclusion: Physical health is an integral component for achieving the maximum productivity of a student. Voluntary interventions and awareness sessions may not be sufficient, and a mandatory element may be needed to create a significant impact.  This can be accomplished by incorporating physical health in a new improved curriculum for B-school students. This will enable stronger commitment from B-schools to improve the performance and productivity of their students, who represent the future of the corporate world.