An interactive CD-ROM for nutrition screening and counseling

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Health Education

Background:

• Effective nutrition counseling is crucial for dietary behavior change.
• In-person nutrition professional support is not always feasible in community settings.
• Interactive technology offers a scalable solution for nutrition education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an interactive CD-ROM for nutrition screening and counseling.
• To promote dietary behavior change, specifically in fat and fruit/vegetable intake.
• To assess the program's utility in community-based settings.

Main Methods:

• The CD-ROM was designed using principles of learner relevance, readiness for change, feedback, individualization, skill facilitation, and goal setting.
• The program was pilot-tested in diverse community locations including libraries, senior centers, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics.
• User engagement and reported behavior changes were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Approximately 80% of respondents (n=284) reported gaining new knowledge about nutrition, health, or their personal dietary habits.
• Over 50% of participants successfully implemented dietary goals into practice when followed up 2-4 weeks later.
• The program demonstrated effectiveness across various demographics, including low-income populations.

Conclusions:

• The interactive CD-ROM serves as a valuable tool for nutrition screening, personalized feedback, skill development, and motivation.
• It is particularly useful in settings where direct counseling by nutrition professionals is limited.
• This technology-driven approach can enhance public health nutrition initiatives.