DETROIT—Online programs may help increase fruit and vegetable consumption among Americans, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health that examined the effectiveness of online intervention programs.
Researchers assessed change in fruit and vegetable intake in a population-based sample, comparing an online untailored program (arm 1) with a tailored behavioral intervention (arm 2) and with a tailored behavioral intervention plus motivational interviewing–based counseling via e-mail (arm 3). They conducted a randomized controlled intervention trial enrolling members aged 21 to 65 years from five health plans in Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, Detroit Atlanta.
Participants logged on to a Web site that provided tailored nutritional information, with or without motivational e-mails, and an untailored "control" Web site. They reported fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and at three, six and 12 months, and researchers assessed mean change in fruit and vegetable servings per day at 12 months after baseline, using a validated self-report fruit and vegetable food-frequency questionnaire.
Of 2,540 trial participants, 80 percent were followed up at 12 months. Overall baseline mean fruit and vegetable intake was 4.4 servings per day. Average servings increased by more than two servings across all study arms (P<.001), with the greatest increase (+2.8 servings) among participants of arm three (P=.05, compared with control).
Researchers noted that online nutritional intervention was well received, convenient, easy to disseminate, and associated with sustained dietary change. Such programs have promise as population-based dietary interventions.
