The impact of a computer-tailored nutrition intervention.
BACKGROUND
Nutrition education tailored to individual characteristics of people might be more effective than general nutrition education. Nowadays, the use of computers makes individualized feedback available for larger groups.


METHODS
The impact of tailored nutrition information on changes in fat, vegetable, and fruit consumption was tested in a randomized trial among 347 employees of a major oil company. Respondents in the experimental group received computer-generated feedback letters tailored to their personal dietary behavior, attitudes, perceived social influences, self-efficacy expectations, and awareness levels. Respondents in the control group received general nutrition information.


RESULTS
Respondents in the experimental group decreased their fat consumption significantly more than the control group between baseline and posttest. A significant effect of tailoring was also found for changes in attitudes and intentions toward reducing fat intake and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Furthermore, respondents in the experimental group were more satisfied with the nutrition information they received and more often reported changing their diet or intention as a result of the information.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that computer-tailored nutrition information is a promising means of stimulating people to change their diet toward dietary recommendations.
Brug
J
J
Department of Health Education and Promotion, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Steenhuis
I
I
van Assema
P
P
de Vries
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D009042:Motivation; D009426:Netherlands; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats