Randomized trial of a tailored nutrition education CD-ROM program for women receiving food assistance.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the development and randomized evaluation of a tailored nutrition education CD-ROM program for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in North Carolina.


METHODS
After randomization to intervention or control groups, participants completed a baseline survey and were resurveyed immediately after program use and 1 to 2 months postintervention.


METHODS
Two WIC clinics in central North Carolina.


METHODS
A total of 307 respondents to the follow-up survey (response rate 74.8%) comprised the study sample. Participants were female (96%), 20% were pregnant, and 50% were minorities (African American and other).


METHODS
The interactive CD-ROM consisted of a targeted video soap opera, dietary assessment, and individually tailored dietary feedback and strategies for change.


METHODS
Measures included total fat and fruit and vegetable intake, knowledge of low-fat and infant feeding choices, self-efficacy, and stages of change.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics assessed baseline comparability of study groups; analysis of covariance and F tests were used to assess program effects at follow-up.


RESULTS
INTERVENTION group members increased self-efficacy (P <.01) and scored significantly higher (P <.05) on both low-fat and infant feeding knowledge compared with controls. No differential effect was observed for dietary intake variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that one dose of an interactive CD-ROM program can impact mediators of dietary change but may be insufficient to change behavior.
Campbell
Marci K
MK
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. marci_campbell@unc.edu
Carbone
Elena
E
Honess-Morreale
Lauren
L
Heisler-Mackinnon
Jennifer
J
Demissie
Seleshi
S
Farrell
David
D
D000328:Adult; D016251:CD-ROM; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D009657:North Carolina; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education* / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000208:ethnology; D014675:Vegetables