Psychosocial factors and intervention-associated changes in those factors as correlates of change in fruit and vegetable consumption in the Maryland WIC 5 a day promotion program

Abstract

This study sought to examine: (a) the relative effects of baseline demographic and psychosocial factors and an intensive nutritional intervention on changes in fruit and vegetable consumption in low-income, ethnically diverse women served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Maryland; (b) whether this intervention, designed to modify psychosocial factors associated with fruit and vegetable consumption, was successful in changing these factors; and (c) whether changes in these factors were associated with increased consumption. The same women from 15 WIC program sites were surveyed at baseline and postintervention 8 months later. Women randomized to the intervention group showed significantly greater mean change in self-efficacy, attitudes, social support, and knowledge of national consumption recommendations than control group women. Changes in all psychosocial factors were significantly associated with nutrition session attendance and increased consumption. In a hierarchical model, changes in these factors accounted for most of the intervention effect on increased consumption.

Targeting physical activity and nutrition interventions towards mothers with young children: a review on components that contribute to attendance and effectiveness

“…The pram walking groups were held once a week in a number of locations across the intervention area and were approximately 1 h in duration WIC, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; F&V, fruit and vegetables; PA, physical activity. (49) Motivational appeals directed to mothers > Two major motivational appeals were used to stimulate adoption of the targeted behaviours: (i) set a good example for your children by eating more F&V; and (ii) take care of yourself by eating more F&V not only during pregnancy but also afterwards (38) A photo novella with a mother role model as guidebook for nutrition sessions > A photo novella, which featured Ms. New-mother (a WIC participant) who modelled the activities leading to increased F&V consumption, served as each participant's guidebook for writing thoughts about F&V intake, setting goals, choosing behavioural strategies to achieve goals, and identifying and overcoming barriers (38) Peer educators > During nutrition sessions, peer educators guided participants through exercises in the photo novella, facilitated discussion and provided social support to help them achieve their goals (38) Mediation > Changes in self-efficacy, attitudes, social support and knowledge of national consumption recommendations accounted for most of the intervention effect on increased consumption (39) Role modelling > In the video soap opera the plot was centred on a woman who pretends she is pregnant to swindle money from the estate of her former boyfriend. Initially the woman learns about prenatal nutrition to help her make her 'faked' pregnancy appear to be genuine.…”

The efficacy of a brief, peer-led nutrition education intervention in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption: a wait-list, community-based randomised controlled trial

“…A church-based intervention using an ecological framework of strategies targeting the individual, social network and community level, including group education sessions and follow-up support materials, resulted in the intervention group consuming 0?85 servings of fruit and vegetables more daily than the control group at the end of the trial (15) . Langenburg et al reported an increased mean consumption by 0?54 servings compared with 0?13 in the control group for an intervention involving nutrition sessions delivered by peer educators, printed materials and individualised direct mail as part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (16) . The current study is a brief intervention using fewer resources than the studies discussed above and it has a correspondingly shorter follow-up time.…”

“…While there is some evidence to support the efficacy of nutrition education in increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables, there are very few studies that isolate and examine the efficacy of peer-led group education sessions with supplemental printed educational materials in general or low-income populations (13,14) . Peer educators have been used by some programmes with success (15,16) . In Australia, programmes such as the Food Cent$ Program (17) and the North Coast Heart Health Program (18) have used peer educators to deliver their programmes.…”

Early participation in prenatal food supplementation program ameliorates the negative association of food insecurity with quality of maternal-infant interaction

“…Food supplementation programs influence prenatal nutrition (38) and social conditions (54) and could thereby influence maternal-infant interaction through both biological and social pathways. A potential biological pathway exists in which mothers who consume more nutrients beginning earlier in gestation experience better health and their infants have better fetal growth and development than mothers who consume fewer nutrients or consume them later in gestation (9,33,38,55).…”