Abstract
BackgroundWeb-based nutritional education programmes appear to be comparable to those delivered face-to-face. However, no existing web-based nutrition education or similar programme has yet been evaluated with consideration of socio-economic status. The objective of a nutritional education programme of promoting vegetable intake designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the results of intervention and to determine how socio-economic status influences the programme effects.Methods/DesignParticipants will be randomly sampled individuals (aged 30–59) stratified according national population statistics for sex, age, and household income. Participants were consented to survey participation (n = 1500), and will be randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention period is 5 weeks with one step of diet-related education per week. The main outcome of the programme is dietary behaviour as eating vegetable (350 g per day, five small bowl). To encourage behavioural changes, the programme contents are prepared using behavioural theories and techniques tailored to the assumed group stages of behavioural change. In the first step, we employ the health belief model to encourage a shift from the pre-contemplative to the contemplative phase; in the second and third steps, social cognitive theory is used to encourage transition to the preparatory phase; in the fourth step, social cognitive theory and strengthening social support are used to promote progression to the execution phase; finally, in the fifth step, strengthening social capital and social support are used to promote the shift to the maintenance phase. The baseline, post intervention and follow-up survey was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. For process evaluation, we use five items relating to programme participation and satisfaction. A follow-up survey of participants will be carried out 3 months after intervention completion.DiscussionThe fact that this study is an RCT with an established control group is a strong advantage. Information and communications technology is not limited by time or place. If we could show this web-based nutrition education programmes has a positive effect, it may be an appropriate tool for reaching individuals in lower socio-economic state.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials UMIN-ICDR UMIN 000019376 (Registered October 16, 2015).
Highlights
Web-based nutritional education programmes appear to be comparable to those delivered faceto-face
We describe the methods and protocol of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that seeks to verify the effectiveness of a web-based nutrition education programme of promoting vegetable intake among adults and that is based on behavioural science theory
Promoting vegetable intake is an important challenge for health promotion during adulthood, regardless of socio-economic status
Summary
Web-based nutritional education programmes appear to be comparable to those delivered faceto-face. No existing web-based nutrition education or similar programme has yet been evaluated with consideration of socio-economic status. The objective of a nutritional education programme of promoting vegetable intake designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the results of intervention and to determine how socio-economic status influences the programme effects. In practice, it has been widely reported that vegetable intake remains low among social disadvantaged groups in terms of household income and other indicators of socio-economic status [6, 7]. As part of efforts to promote vegetable intake among adults, several nutrition education programmes that have incorporated aspects of behavioural science theory have proven effective [8,9,10]. Bensley et al [16] reported that provision of information through bulletins board increased vegetable intake by 0.2 serving while a web-based intervention increased intake by 0.6 serving
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