Virtual Reality and Powerpoint Grocery Store Tours: Equally Effective in Improving Self-efficacy in Randomised...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition and Health Education
• Behavioral Science
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Adult nutrition literacy and healthful food purchasing self-efficacy are crucial for public health.
• Innovative educational tools are needed to improve these outcomes.
• Virtual reality and digital presentations offer potential avenues for nutrition education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of computer-based virtual reality (CBVR) grocery store tours (GST) versus voice-over PowerPoint (PP) GST.
• To assess the impact of these interventions on adult nutrition literacy (NL) and healthful food purchasing self-efficacy (HFPSE).

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 68 participants from a university worksite wellness program.
• Participants were assigned to either a CBVR or PP GST intervention group.
• Nutrition literacy and HFPSE were measured before, immediately after, and three months post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Both CBVR and PP GST groups showed significant improvements in HFPSE over time, with sustained gains at three months.
• No significant differences in HFPSE improvement were found between the CBVR and PP groups.
• Neither intervention led to significant changes in nutrition literacy for either group.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based virtual reality and voice-over PowerPoint grocery store tours are effective in enhancing healthful food purchasing self-efficacy.
• These digital interventions demonstrate potential for improving dietary behaviors.
• Further research may explore the impact on nutrition knowledge and long-term dietary changes.