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


METHODS
Data were collected by telephone interview in four independent cross-sectional surveys among non-obese Dutch adults aged 25-35 years (total n = 1,949) 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 (beta = 0.16; P < 0.01) and higher self-reported BMI (beta = 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.
Wammes
Birgitte
B
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. b.wammes@erasmusmc.nl
Breedveld
Boudewijn
B
Looman
Caspar
C
Brug
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D009426:Netherlands; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015430:Weight Gain