A randomized clinical trial evaluating online interventions to improve fruit and vegetable consumption

TitleA randomized clinical trial evaluating online interventions to improve fruit and vegetable consumption
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsAlexander, GL, McClure, JB, Calvi, JH, Divine, GW, Stopponi, MA, Rolnick, SJ, Heimendinger, J, Tolsma, DD, Resnicow, K, Campbell, MK, Strecher, VJ, Johnson, CC
JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health
Volume100
Pagination319-326
Date PublishedFeb
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number1541-0048 (Electronic)0090-0036 (Linking)
Accession Number20019315
Keywords*Consumer Health Information, *Counseling, *Food Habits, *Internet, Adult, Aged, Electronic Mail, Female, Fruit, Health Promotion/*methods, Humans, Interviews as Topic/methods, Logistic Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Statistics, Nonparametric, United States, Vegetables
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We assessed change in fruit and vegetable intake in a population-based sample, comparing an online untailored program (arm 1) with a tailored behavioral intervention (arm 2) and with a tailored behavioral intervention plus motivational interviewing-based counseling via e-mail (arm 3). METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled intervention trial, enrolling members aged 21 to 65 years from 5 health plans in Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; and Atlanta, Georgia. Participants reported fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. We assessed mean change in fruit and vegetable servings per day at 12 months after baseline, using a validated self-report fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 2540 trial participants, 80% were followed up at 12 months. Overall baseline mean fruit and vegetable intake was 4.4 servings per day. Average servings increased by more than 2 servings across all study arms (P<.001), with the greatest increase (+2.8 servings) among participants of arm 3 (P=.05, compared with control). Overall program satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS: This online nutritional intervention was well received, convenient, easy to disseminate, and associated with sustained dietary change. Such programs have promise as population-based dietary interventions.

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=20019315
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