Effects of a Nutrition Education Program on Vegetable Intake Behavior among Workers

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effects of a nutrition education program, combining a nutrition seminar with a dietitian with vegetable beverage distribution as an environmental support, on vegetable intake and the stage of change of such intake among workers. Methods: A randomized, parallel-group study was conducted among 194 workers in the Kanagawa prefecture, Japan (intervention group: 100, control group: 94, average age: 43). A nutrition education program was provided only in the intervention group. Primary outcomes for program evaluation were the amount of vegetable intake and the stage of change of this intake using the transtheoretical model (TTM), whereas secondary outcomes were the factors influencing changes in attitude and behavior concerning vegetable intake. Results: The change in vegetable intake from pre-to post-intervention was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, but no significant difference was found 6 weeks after the program. Although the change in the TTM stage score from pre-to post-intervention was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, similar results were observed 6 weeks after the intervention. In addition, factors such as health benefits, interests, self-efficacy, and environmental support from organizations and the community significantly increased in the intervention group. Conclusion: It was suggested that a nutrition education program that combined the nutrition seminar by a dietitian and vegetable beverage distribution may increase the stage of change of vegetable intake and the amount of vegetable intake among workers.