A brief intervention increases fruit and vegetable intake. A comparison of two intervention sequences

Abstract

A B S T R A C T Background and Purpose:To evaluate the effectiveness of two subsequent intervention components (motivational and self-regulatory components), placed in different order, to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Methods: After baseline assessment, university students (N = 205, aged 18-26 years) were allocated to two groups. One group received a motivational intervention (outcome expectancies, risk perception, and task self-efficacy) followed by a self-regulatory intervention (planning and dietary selfefficacy) after 17 days. The second group received the same intervention conditions in the opposite order. Follow-up assessments were done after another 17 days. Results: Both intervention sequences yielded gains in terms of FV intake and self-efficacy. However, this gain was only due to the self-regulatory component whereas the motivational component did not contribute to the changes. Moreover, changes in intention and self-efficacy mediated between intervention sequence and follow-up behavior, suggesting that improving these proximal predictors of FV intake was responsible for the behavioral gains. Conclusions: Findings highlight the superiority of a self-regulatory intervention over a motivational intervention when it comes to dietary changes in this sample of young adults. Moreover, changes in dietary selfefficacy may drive nutritional changes.© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. IntroductionUnderscoring the benefits of consuming a sufficient amount of fruit and vegetables (FV), a World Health Organization (WHO) review on the effectiveness of interventions and programs promoting FV intake showed that consumption of FV reduces cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity and prevents several micronutrient deficiencies, especially in less developed countries (Pomerleau, Lock, Knai, & McKee, 2005). However, most people do not attain the recommendation of a minimum of 400 g of FV per day (i.e., approximately five portions). Moreover, this review highlights the need for data collection on FV intervention effectiveness in the majority of countries. India is a vast subcontinent covering 2.4% of the global landmass, it is inhabited by more than one-sixth of the world's population. Currently, the country is undergoing a rapid socio-economic, demographic, and health transition. For instance, over the last two decades, preventive nutrition has emerged as a public health concern; there have been increases in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, especially in urban areas (Ramachandran, 2006). Thus, evidence-based interventions are needed for the promotion of FV intake, as well as an understanding of the underlying working mechanisms of intervention effectiveness. In addition to basic nutritional knowledge, both motivation and self-regulation are required for people to change their habitual dietary patterns (Adriaanse, Vinkers, De Ridder, Hox, & De Wit, 2011;Verhoeven, Adriaanse, Evers, & De Ridder, 2012). Motivational and self-regulational mechanisms of health behavio...

A cluster randomised controlled trial of an intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in Iranian adolescents

“…Our findings support those of other studies that suggest that planning is an effective way to help adolescents to change their health behaviours, including F&V intake Lhakhang et al, 2014;Verhoeven et al, 2012). However, evidence suggests that it is important to ensure that individuals are motivated before they are provided with volitional strategies and techniques (e.g.…”

“…Although some researchers have found that perceptions of risk have a negligible impact on F&V intake (Schwarzer et al, 2007), many studies suggest that risk perceptions have a significant, albeit relatively small, correlation with intention and behaviour and can influence behaviour, especially if coupled with specific recommendations on how to reduce the risk (for a review, see Sheeran et al, 2014). Outcome expectancies reflect the individuals' consideration of the pros and cons of performing the respective behaviour (Lhakhang et al, 2014;Schwarzer, 2008). Self-efficacy is the individuals' confidence in his/her ability to perform the intended behaviour (e.g.…”

“…cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancers (Boeing et al, 2012;Lhakhang, Godinho, Knoll, & Schwarzer, 2014). It is therefore not surprising that dietary guidelines recommend that people consume plenty of F&V, including a variety of types and colours (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013;Safavi et al, 2007; U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2010).…”

Educação nutricional em universitários e estratégias para promoção de saúde institucional: revisão integrativa

“…Ressaltam-se questões financeiras relacionadas com a saída do jovem da casa da família para estudar, estresse com as atividades acadêmicas, ausência de tempo para uma maior dedicação à produção da sua própria alimentação e/ou atenção a horários, falta de habilidade para cozinhar e de conhecimento de nutrição para realização de escolhas mais saudáveis, conforme apresentado anteriormente (33)(34)(35) . Através dos estudos selecionados para o presente artigo, as estratégias que melhor apresentaram resultados para mudança de comportamento nessa população e seus principais limitantes foram observadas.…”

“…(35) Implementar o programa FRESH (Recursos alimentares e educação para saúde em universitários), objetiva melhorar a alimentação no campus e promover comportamentos saudáveis entre os estudantes.…”