Web-based risk communication and planning in an obese population: exploratory study.

Area of Science:

• Health behavior change
• Cardiovascular disease prevention
• Dietary interventions

Background:

• A healthy diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber is recommended for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Motivating dietary changes often involves increasing awareness of individual CVD risk and facilitating planning for behavior modification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined effect of a web-based CVD risk message and an automated planning tool on risk perceptions, intentions, and saturated fat intake.
• To assess changes over a four-week period.

Main Methods:

• 1187 participants were recruited online and randomized into four groups: CVD risk message only, CVD risk message with planning, planning only, and a control group.
• Online self-reports were used for all outcome measures.
• Generalized linear modeling was employed for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants in the planning group showed increased self-perceived consumption of low saturated fat foods and intentions to change diet compared to the control group.
• No significant differences in percentage saturated fat intake changes were observed across the four conditions.
• While CVD risk messages alone improved risk perceptions aligned with age, the combination with planning did not yield greater dietary changes than control.

Conclusions:

• Combining a CVD risk message with a planning tool did not demonstrate superior reduction in saturated fat intake compared to either intervention alone.
• Further research is needed to optimize motivational and volitional strategies for effective behavior change in dietary interventions.