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.
University of Michigan, Department of Family Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. zoralong@umich.edu
Zora
Z
Djuric
Jennifer S
JS
Ellsworth
Jianwei
J
Ren
Ananda
A
Sen
Mack T
MT
Ruffin
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