Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Understanding how people process health information: a comparison of tailored and nontailored weight-loss materials
M W Kreuter1, F C Bull, E M Clark
1Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 63108, USA. kreuterm@wpogate.slu.edu
Abstract:
Health information tailored to meet individuals' unique needs has been shown to be more effective than generic information in promoting risk-reducing behavior changes. To explore mechanisms underlying tailoring's effectiveness, this study randomly assigned 198 overweight adults to receive weight-loss materials that were (a) tailored to the individual, (b) in an American Heart Association (AHA) brochure, or (c) AHA-content formatted to look like tailored materials. Participants who received tailored materials had more positive thoughts about the materials, positive personal connections to the materials, positive self-assessment thoughts, and positive thoughts indicating behavioral intention than those who received either of the untailored materials. The tailoring of health information can significantly improve the chances the information will be thoughtfully considered and can stimulate prebehavioral changes such as self-assessment and intention.
Related Concept Videos
Bioequivalence: Overview
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results from...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
Health Literacy
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation

