title: Acceptability of stage-tailored newsletters about fruits and vegetables by young adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of stage-tailored newsletters as a communication means for promoting fruit and vegetable intake by young adults. Qualitative interviews were conducted to gather young adults' likes and dislikes about stage-tailored newsletters on fruits and vegetables. A total of 246 interviews were completed by young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years for focus group and/or in-depth interviews. Prototype newsletters containing stage-matched messages were designed to increase motivational readiness to increase fruit and vegetable intake based on the Transtheoretical Model. Transcripts were grouped by stage of change and examined to identify major themes or topics. Results showed that young adults in each of the three stages responded positively to the tailored newsletters. Subjects provided feedback on newsletter likes/dislikes, benefits/barriers to eating fruits and vegetables, and strategies for promoting change. This study provides an example of the incorporation of key concepts from the Transtheoretical Model in development of stage-tailored newsletters for young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA.
authors.forename: Jaime S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ruud
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kritch
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nitzke
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lohse
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boeckner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014675:Vegetables