Predictors and Intervention Implications of Weight Management KAP Among University Students in the Digital Age: A Survey from Zhejiang

Mengna Ye1, *, Yiting Ma1, Xiaoxue Wang2, Wenmin Li1, XiaoruoYe1
1School of Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
2School of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
*Corresponding email: 1733672573@qq.com

In the digital age, university students’ weight management faces the dual challenges of information overload and the knowing-doing gap. Guided by the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework, this study conducted a questionnaire survey among 762 undergraduates from four universities in Zhejiang Province. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and the Bootstrap method. The results showed that students’ knowledge and attitudes toward weight management were at a moderately high level, yet their behavioral performance was significantly low. This indicates a prominent knowing-doing gap. Attitude emerged as the core driver of behavioral formation. Both frequency of digital device use and social support significantly and positively predicted weight management behaviors. In contrast, perceived information overload not only negatively predicted behaviors but also weakened the positive effect of attitude on behavior. In addition, significant differences in KAP scores were observed across gender, grade, major, and body mass index (BMI) groups. The findings suggest that the primary bottleneck lies in the translation from attitude to behavior, and that the digital environment exerts both empowering and interfering effects. Universities should implement differentiated interventions by strengthening nutrition education systems, innovating teaching models, optimizing digital support infrastructure, and enhancing peer support to bridge the knowing-doing gap.

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Ye, M., Ma, Y., Wang, X., Li, W., Ye, X. (2026) Predictors and Intervention Implications of Weight Management KAP Among University Students in the Digital Age: A Survey from Zhejiang. Global Education Bulletin, 3(4), 50-59.

Published

20/10/2026