The impact of a national mass media campaign in The Netherlands on the prevention of weight gain

Abstract

Objective: A 5-year nationwide mass media campaign aimed at prevention of overweight was organised from 2002 onwards. The present study evaluates the first campaign, which was aimed primarily at increasing awareness of weight gain. Design and subjects: Data were collected by telephone interview in four independent cross-sectional surveys among non-obese Dutch adults aged 25-35 years (total n ¼ 1949) for statistical analyses. Awareness of personal body-weight status, overweight-related risk perceptions, attitudes towards weight-gain prevention, motivation to prevent weight gain and self-reported body mass index (BMI) were measured in each survey. Campaign exposure was assessed in the post-intervention surveys. To identify intervention effects over time multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used, adjusted for secular time effects and age. Results: After the campaign about 65% of the respondents knew about the campaign. The campaign was associated with more positive attitudes towards the prevention of weight gain (b ¼ 0.16; P , 0.01) and higher self-reported BMI (b ¼ 0.14; P , 0.01). Conclusions:The results suggest that the first campaign reached a large proportion of the population and initiated some positive change in attitudes, but did not achieve significant improvements in other determinants of weight-gain prevention among non-obese young adults.

Family Dietary Coaching to Improve Nutritional Intakes and Body Weight Control

“…56 In parents, we found that nonoverweight participants in group B had the smallest mean increase in BMI, while overweight participants in both intervention groups showed a mean decrease in BMI throughout the study, as already reported by Astrup et al 57 From a public health perspective, general messages seem to have little efficacy in inducing nutritional changes in the general population. 13,14 In our study, we used family dietary coaching to modulate nutritional intakes toward recommendations, with beneficial effects on weight control in parents. This approach makes it possible to account for individual characteristics that influence food habits, such as socioeconomic status and education.…”

“…As general messages have shown little efficacy in changing dietary habits, 13 these studies should be based on specific methods, such as individualized coaching, 14 Internet-based monitoring, 15 and home food delivery. 8 A family approach as well as actions in schools for children 16 may also induce sustainable dietary changes.…”

Trends in risk factors for coronary heart disease in the Netherlands

“…Several nationwide campaigns to raise awareness on overweight and promote physical activity were organised during the study period. An evaluation of a large 5-year mass media campaign (2002–2007) on overweight and physical activity showed that despite the high levels of free publicity and campaign exposure, the campaign was not strong enough to provoke substantial changes in important predictors of behaviour change [31]. Joint efforts of the government, food industry, retail and NGO’s since 2005 resulting in a covenant on overweight are promising.…”

Association of children's eating behaviors with parental education, and teachers' health awareness, attitudes and behaviors: a national school-based survey in China

“…6–8 Historically, most interventions that aim to prevent childhood obesity have focused on individual-level behavioral determinants. 9,10 However, these interventions find only low to modest effects on behaviors among children and have little effects on their weight. 11 Recently, family and school environments are providing avenues to promote healthy behaviors among children.…”