Computer-mediated intervention tailored on transtheoretical model stages and processes of change increases fruit and vegetable consumption among urban African-American adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of an intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents.


METHODS
Pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
Youth services agencies located in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Agencies were assigned to computer intervention (CIN) and nonintervention control study arms.


METHODS
A total of 507 African-American adolescents ages 11 to 14 years.


METHODS
Youths in the CIN arm completed four 30-minute intervention sessions tailored on TTM stages and processes of change.


METHODS
Self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption and stages, pros, cons, and self-efficacy for consumption.


METHODS
Intervention effects were examined with analysis of covariance models that were controlled for demographic variables and baseline measures of each outcome. Chi-square analyses were used to examine between-arm differences in youths' stage progressions.


RESULTS
After adjustment by covariates, pros (p < .025) and fruit and vegetable consumption (p < .001) varied significantly with study arm. Youths in the CIN arm had higher pro scores and fruit and vegetable consumption than controls. More youths in the CIN arm than in the control arm progressed to later stages and maintained recommended intake levels (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
A TTM-based intervention can increase fruit and vegetable intake and effect positive changes in TTM variables related to intake among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents.
Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY 10027, USA. jd201@columbia.edu
Jennifer
J
Di Noia
Isobel R
IR
Contento
James O
JO
Prochaska
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011204:Poverty Areas; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014675:Vegetables