Differences in use and impact of computer-tailored dietary fat-feedback according to stage of change and education

Abstract

Computer-tailored written nutrition education has been found to be more effective in motivating people to reduce their consumption of fat than traditional written information. The present study aimed to test whether this innovative nutrition education intervention is also suitable for people with low motivation to change and low education among a self-selected sample of 699 adults. Computer-tailored feedback proved to be more effective in motivating precontemplators to proceed towards fat reduction than general information. Higher appreciation and use of the computer-tailored fat-feedback was found among respondents in contemplation than in other stages. No difference in impact of computer-tailored fat-feedback on fat intake was found between educational groups. Respondents with low education were more positive about how interesting and how personally relevant the tailored letters were. It was concluded that printed computer-tailored fat-feedback can be applied successfully to motivate precontemplators and people with low education to (consider to) reduce their fat intake.