Brug J, Glanz K, Van Assema P, Kok G, van Breukelen G J
Department of Social Studies, Open University, DL Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Health Educ Behav. 1998 Aug;25(4):517-31. doi: 10.1177/109019819802500409.
A randomized trial was conducted to study the impact of individualized computer-generated nutrition information and additional effects of iterative feedback on changes in intake of fat, fruits, and vegetables. Respondents in the experimental group received computer-generated feedback letters tailored to their dietary intake, intentions, attitudes, self-efficacy expectations, and self-rated behavior. After the first feedback letter, half of the experimental group received additional iterative feedback tailored to changes in behavior and intentions. The control group received a single general nutrition information letter in a format similar to the tailored letters. Computer-tailored feedback had a significantly greater impact on fat reduction and fruit and vegetable intake than did general information. Iterative computer-tailored feedback had an additional impact on fat intake. The results confirm that computer-generated individualized feedback can be effective in inducing recommended dietary changes and that iterative feedback can increase the longer term impact of computer-tailored nutrition education on fat reduction.
