Dutch research into the development and impact of computer-tailored nutrition education

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present paper is to describe the essential elements of computer-tailored nutrition education and to study the impact of written computer-tailored nutrition education in comparison to general written nutrition advice.

Design: The impact of computer-tailored nutrition education was studied in three randomised trials as compared to general nutrition education. The data of the three studies were taken together and re-analysed.

Subjects: Random samples of employees at two work sites and a self-selected sample of the Dutch adult population. The total number of subjects was 1309. Response rates were between 45% in one of the work sites and 88% in the self-selected sample.

Interventions: Subjects in the experimental condition received computer-tailored nutrition education. With computer-tailoring, expert individualised nutrition education can be realised through an automated process for relatively large target groups with relatively low costs per person.

Main outcome measures: The impact on changes in fat intake were studied. The use and appreciation of the intervention was also assessed.

Results: Subjects who received computer-tailored advice had a lower mean fat score at post-test, adjusted for baseline intake levels. Subjects who received tailored advice were more likely to have read and discussed the nutrition advice.

Conclusion: The results point to the conclusion that printed computer-tailored nutrition education is superior to general written nutrition education.

Sponsorship: Financial support was provided by the Netherlands Cancer Society.