A randomized feasibility trial of brief telephone counseling to increase fruit and vegetable intakes.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the feasibility of eliciting dietary changes in subjects recruited from a diverse primary care setting in Michigan using a written, one-page plan, either alone or with telephone counseling.


METHODS
A total of 96 subjects were enrolled from 9/28/06 to 5/7/07 (49% minorities). Subjects were randomized into three groups. Group 1 received written materials. Group 2 received written materials plus a one-page form that asked them to make a specific daily plan for substituting one less nutritious food with two servings of fruits and vegetables. Group 3 received the written materials, the one-page form and telephone counseling from a dietitian.


RESULTS
Subject retention was 76% for the 12-week study. Subjects in Groups 1, 2 and 3 changed their mean intakes of fruit and vegetables by 0.4, -0.7 and 1.4 servings/day, respectively. Participants in Group 3 lost an average of 0.73 kg, increased their perception of the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, and 63% increased their serum levels of carotenoids by 20% or more.


CONCLUSIONS
Recruitment through a primary care clinic was effective. Formulation of a written plan combined with telephone counseling appears to be promising for improving fruit and vegetable intakes and warrants more definitive study.
Djuric
Zora
Z
University of Michigan, Department of Family Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. zoralong@umich.edu
Ellsworth
Jennifer S
JS
Ren
Jianwei
J
Sen
Ananda
A
Ruffin
Mack T
MT
D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008612:Menu Planning; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013664:Teaching Materials; D013689:Telephone; D014675:Vegetables; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology
D002338:Carotenoids