Varying the message source in computer-tailored nutrition education.
The effect of message source on message recall and perceived credibility was examined in a randomized study comparing two different computer-tailored bulletins promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among rural African American church members. An expert oriented (EXP) bulletin was compared with a spiritual and pastor-oriented (SPIR) bulletin and a control group. Both bulletins had the same format and used an identical set of dietary and psychosocial variables for tailoring. At follow-up, the majority of both intervention groups recalled receiving the bulletin, however message trust was higher in the SPIR group (P < 0.05). The EXP group reported higher trust of health and nutrition information coming from scientific research (P < 0.01), and the SPIR group reported higher trust of information coming from the pastor (P < 0.05). Both bulletin groups increased fruit and vegetable consumption significantly compared to the control group; however, this difference could not be solely attributed to the tailored intervention which was part of a multi-component program.
Campbell
M K
MK
Department of Nutrition, Campus Box 7400, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Bernhardt
J M
JM
Waldmiller
M
M
Jackson
B
B
Potenziani
D
D
Weathers
B
B
Demissie
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012423:Rural Health; D014675:Vegetables