Abstract
BackgroundA review update is necessary to document evidence regarding the effectiveness of computer-tailored physical activity and nutrition education.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to summarize the latest evidence on the effectiveness of computer-tailored physical activity and nutrition education, and to compare the results to the 2006 review.MethodsDatabases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating computer-tailored physical activity and nutrition education aimed at primary prevention in adults, published from September 2004 through June 2011.ResultsCompared to the findings in 2006, a larger proportion of studies found positive effects for computer-tailored programs compared to generic or no information, including those for physical activity promotion. Effect sizes were small and generally at short- or medium-term follow-up.ConclusionsThe results of the 2006 review were confirmed and reinforced. Future interventions should focus on establishing larger effect sizes and sustained effects and include more generic health education control groups and objective measurements of dietary behavior.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12160-012-9384-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The potential impact of physical activity and healthy dietary habits on the prevention of a range of chronic conditions is substantial [1, 2]
This review update reports on the characteristics and effects of 25 interventions targeted at physical activity, 27 interventions targeted at dietary behavior, and 10 interventions for both behaviors
The main reasons for exclusion were: the age of the study population was not in the required range, lack of randomized controlled trial design, no focus on primary prevention, absence of behavioral outcomes, or the computer tailoring was part of a multicomponent intervention that made it impossible to isolate the effect of tailoring
Summary
The potential impact of physical activity and healthy dietary habits on the prevention of a range of chronic conditions is substantial [1, 2]. Effective physical activity and dietary promotion interventions are needed. Successful intervention strategies and techniques to motivate and guide people to adopt healthy choices need to be identified. Computer tailoring allows for individualized feedback and advice on personal behavior, personal motivation, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, social and physical environmental opportunities, and other behavioral determinants. A review update is necessary to document evidence regarding the effectiveness of computer-tailored physical activity and nutrition education. Purpose The purpose of this study was to summarize the latest evidence on the effectiveness of computer-tailored physical activity and nutrition education, and to compare the results to the 2006 review
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