title: Association of behaviour change techniques with effectiveness of dietary interventions among adults of retirement age: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a need for development of more effective interventions to achieve healthy eating, enhance healthy ageing, and to reduce the risk of age-related diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in complex dietary behaviour change interventions and to explore the association between BCTs utilised and intervention effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a secondary analysis of data from a previous systematic review with meta-analysis of the effectiveness of dietary interventions among people of retirement age. BCTs were identified using the reliable CALO-RE taxonomy in studies reporting fruit and vegetable (F and V) consumption as outcomes. The mean difference in F and V intake between active and control arms was compared between studies in which the BCTs were identified versus those not using the BCTs. Random-effects meta-regression models were used to assess the association of interventions BCTs with F and V intakes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight of the 40 BCTs listed in the CALO-RE taxonomy were identified in the 22 papers reviewed. Studies using the techniques 'barrier identification/problem solving' (93 g, 95% confidence interval (CI) 48 to 137 greater F and V intake), 'plan social support/social change' (78 g, 95%CI 24 to 132 greater F and V intake), 'goal setting (outcome)' (55 g 95%CI 7 to 103 greater F and V intake), 'use of follow-up prompts' (66 g, 95%CI 10 to 123 greater F and V intake) and 'provide feedback on performance' (39 g, 95%CI -2 to 81 greater F and V intake) were associated with greater effects of interventions on F and V consumption compared with studies not using these BCTs. The number of BCTs per study ranged from 2 to 16 (median = 6). Meta-regression showed that one additional BCT led to 8.3 g (95%CI 0.006 to 16.6 g) increase in F and V intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, this study has identified BCTs associated with effectiveness suggesting that these might be active ingredients of dietary interventions which will be effective in increasing F and V intake in older adults. For interventions targeting those in the peri-retirement age group, 'barrier identification/problem solving' and 'plan for social support/social change' may be particularly useful in increasing the effectiveness of dietary interventions.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK. jose.lara@newcastle.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Moynihan
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Ashley J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Errington
authors.forename: Falko F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Sniehotta
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mathers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012179:Retirement; D014675:Vegetables