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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Leslie B. Snyder, PhD, Matthew A. Lapierre, and Erin Maloney. Department of Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut, 850 Bolton Road, Unit Box 1085, Storrs, CT 06268, (860) 486-4383, leslie.snyder@uconn.edu

Nutritional interventions have long attempted to change nutritional behaviors, either as part of freestanding campaigns – such the Five A Day Campaign - or as components of heart disease, obesity, or diabetes prevention efforts. The purpose of this research was to review the effectiveness of nutrition campaigns that use the media to change nutrition behaviors. We conducted a meta-analysis of campaigns and interventions targeting nutrition behaviors (e.g. increasing the number of fruit and vegetable servings, increasing fiber intake, and reducing the number of calories from fat) and physiological outcomes (e.g. blood pressure, body mass index). The interventions/campaigns included in the study utilized a wide range of channels to deliver their messages including television, radio, workplace e-mail, CD-ROM and newspapers. Studies were also categorized by the population targeted, age of participants, gender of participants, location of intervention, tailoring of intervention, theoretical underpinnings, and length of campaign. The results indicate a small positive effect on behavior, similar to effect sizes found in media campaigns on other health topics (Snyder, 2001). Given the wide reach of some nutritional campaigns, effect sizes of this magnitude can represent an important impact for many people. Thus, nutritional campaigns using the media contribute positively to advancing public health. The findings should help practitioners to design more effective and efficient nutrition campaigns and interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the average effect from nutrition interventions.
• Develop more effective nutrition interventions by using media channels and outreach methods that enhance behavioral change.

Keywords: Media Campaigns, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation