Abstract: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that when college students are made to feel cognitive dissonance about their diet and exercise behaviors, they will be more likely to adopt healthier diet and exercise habits--particularly when the dissonance is tied to appearance rather than health concerns. One hundred twenty-six college students reported a number of diet and exercise behaviors after writing about why high-quality diet and exercise promotes health (dissonance-health), or physical appearance (dissonance-appearance); or they wrote about an unrelated topic (control). Risk perceptions related to negative health and appearance consequences emanating ...