title: Improving diet and exercise in pregnancy with Video Doctor counseling: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if an interactive, computerized Video Doctor counseling tool improves self-reported diet and exercise in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized trial comparing a Video Doctor intervention to usual care in ethnically diverse, low-income, English-speaking pregnant women was conducted. Brief messages about diet, exercise, and weight gain were delivered by an actor-portrayed Video Doctor twice during pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the Video Doctor group (n=158), there were statistically significant increases from baseline in exercise (+28 min), intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, avocado and nuts, and significant decreases in intake of sugary foods, refined grains, high fat meats, fried foods, solid fats, and fast food. In contrast, there were no changes from baseline for any of these outcomes in the usual care group (n=163). Nutrition knowledge improved significantly over time in both groups but more so in the Video Doctor group. Clinician-patient discussions about these topics occurred significantly more frequently in the Video Doctor group. There was no difference in weight gain between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief Video Doctor intervention can improve exercise and dietary behaviors in pregnant women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Video Doctor can be integrated into prenatal care to assist clinicians with effective diet and exercise counseling.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. jacksonr@obgyn.ucsf.edu
authors: Rebecca A
authors: RA
authors: Jackson
authors: Naomi E
authors: NE
authors: Stotland
authors: Aaron B
authors: AB
authors: Caughey
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Gerbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004032:Diet; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D040241:Social Marketing; D014741:Video Recording; D015430:Weight Gain