Abstract
Objective
This study assessed the effectiveness of a 4-month intervention using stage-based
newsletters, computer-based communication, and motivational interviewing to increase
fruit and vegetable consumption by college students aged 18 to 24 years.
Design
Participants were stratified by stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption
and randomized to an intervention or control group. Participants completed the staging
algorithm for fruit and vegetable intake, which included a one-item food frequency
question, a 26-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), an 18-item decisional balance
questionnaire, and a five-item self-efficacy questionnaire at baseline and completion
of study.
Subjects
A convenience sample of 437 college students enrolled in a rural, land grant university
was enrolled in the study. Only nondietetics majors between ages 18 to 24 years were
included in the study. A total of 314 students finished the study for a completion
rate of 72%.
Intervention
After baseline staging and randomization, the intervention group participants received
four stage-based newsletters, one motivational interview, and an individually tailored
e-mail follow-up over a 4-month period. Control group participants only received assessment
at baseline and at completion.
Main Outcome Measures
Two fruit and vegetable instruments, a one-item food frequency question, and a 26-item
FFQ measured daily consumption of fruits and vegetables at baseline and postintervention.
Statistical Analyses Performed
The SAS system for Windows, version 8 (1999, SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC), was used
for analysis, including the following tests: PROC GLM, PROC FREQ, and PROC NPAR1WAY,
Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher, Wilcoxon rank sum, and χ2.
Results
Fruit and vegetable consumption increased significantly more for the intervention
group than the control group. Consumption increased in the intervention group by one
serving a day for both instruments compared with 0.4 servings a day in the control
group for a one-item instrument and no change in the control group for a 26-item FFQ.
Conclusions
This intervention is an effective way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption
by young adults.
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Biography
A. Richards is a child nutrition program specialist, Child and Adult Nutrition Services, Pierre, SD; at the time of the study, she was a master’s degree student at South Dakota State University, Brookings.
Biography
K. K. Kattelmann is an associate professor, Nutrition, Food Science, and Hospitality Department, and director, Didactic Program.
Biography
C. Ren is an assistant professor of statistics, Plant Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings.
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© 2006 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
