Smart Snack Nutrition Program

Curtin University launches a Smart Snack program for students

In partnership with Bupa Health, Curtin University engaged WFR to assist university students with their wellbeing and nutrition choices. As part of the program WFR designed a suite of customized products including promotional posters, an online survey, information cards, and nutrition activities to run at an expo style pop up event on campus.

WFR delivered the weekly Smart Snack Program to students after Orientation week. Our Exercise Physiologists engaged with students by handing out healthy snack bags, providing education about nutritious snacks, facilitating interactive Nutrition Activities, and providing advice on how to purchase healthy foods on a budget.

548 students participated in the program over the 4 weeks in March, which included an initial survey to gain data on their nutrition habits. It was found that 75% of participants in the survey consume more than recommended servings of sugar per week, only 25% have adequate daily water intake, and only 50% of students have breakfast on the daily basis.

Students walking by were eager to receive a free healthy snack and participate in nutrition activities, which highlighted a lack of awareness of the sugar and fat content in the foods commonly consumed. A post-event survey showed that the knowledge that the students gained assisted them in changing their nutrition habits. This included better shopping choices (29%), healthier snack choices (54%), and ate breakfast more regularly (50%).