Testing the transtheoretical model for fruit intake: comparing web-based tailored stage-matched and stage-mismatched...

Area of Science:

• Health Behavior Change
• Nutrition Science
• Psychology

Background:

• The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a framework for understanding behavior change.
• Tailoring interventions to an individual's stage of change is hypothesized to increase effectiveness.
• Fruit intake remains suboptimal in many populations, necessitating effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of stage-matched feedback in promoting fruit intake.
• To test the transtheoretical model's application to dietary behavior change.
• To compare the impact of precontemplation feedback (PCF), contemplation feedback (CF), and action feedback (AF) on fruit consumption.

Main Methods:

• A match-mismatch design was employed to assess the transtheoretical model.
• Participants in precontemplation and contemplation stages were randomized to receive PCF, CF, or AF via web-based letters.
• Fruit intake was measured immediately and one week post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Fruit intake significantly increased in the contemplation stage but not in the precontemplation stage.
• No significant differences in fruit intake, stage progression, or feedback credibility were observed across feedback conditions for either stage.
• While contemplators found action feedback more personally relevant, precontemplators did not show this preference.

Conclusions:

• The study did not demonstrate the superiority of stage-matched information over other feedback types for increasing fruit intake.
• The findings suggest that tailoring feedback to the transtheoretical model stages may not be more effective for promoting fruit consumption.
• Further research is needed to identify optimal strategies for behavior change interventions in nutrition.