Computer-tailored dietary behaviour change interventions: a systematic review

Abstract

Improving dietary behaviours such as increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing saturated fat intake are important in the promotion of better health. Computer tailoring has shown promise as a strategy to promote such behaviours. A narrative systematic review was conducted to describe the available evidence on ‘second’-generation computer-tailored primary prevention interventions for dietary behaviour change and to determine their effectiveness and key characteristics of success. Systematic literature searches were conducted through five databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and All EBM Reviews and by examining the reference lists of relevant articles to identify studies published in English from January 1996 to 2008. Randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs with pre-test and post-test behavioural outcome data were included. A total of 13 articles were reviewed, describing the evaluation of 12 interventions, seven of which found significant positive effects of the computer-tailored interventions for dietary behaviour outcomes, one also for weight reduction outcomes. Although the evidence of short-term efficacy for computer-tailored dietary behaviour change interventions is fairly strong, the uncertainty lies in whether the reported effects are generalizable and sustained long term. Further research is required to address these limitations of the evidence.

Evaluation of the Web-Based Computer-Tailored FATaintPHAT Intervention to Promote Energy Balance Among Adolescents

“…This is largely in line with the conclusions of recent reviews that found convincing evidence for the effectiveness of computer-tailored interventions on diet but inconclusive results for physical activity among adults. 5,6,8 …”

Sociopsychological Tailoring to Address Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Whether enhancement of sociopsychological factors influences health behaviors is uncertain. 12,13,19,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Among trials comparing patients receiving sociopsychologically tailored colorectal cancer screening interventions with active control, 15,19,20,22,[25][26][27][28][29][30]33 only some found superior effects of tailoring 19,25,28,29,34 ; in all but 1 trial 34 screening was self-reported, 19,25,28,29 suggesting possible response bias. There is a need to examine further whether objectively measured colorectal cancer screening improves in response to sociopsychologi...…”

Exercise as Labour: Quantified Self and the Transformation of Exercise into Labour

“…Some literature has focused on the potential for automisation, personalisation of information or prompts and the development of online support communities [7] (p. 330). A range of studies has explored the efficacy and potential of dietary and physical activity interventions through digital tools [8][9][10][11][12], and the wide-ranging implications of "Web 2.0" technologies have been surveyed [13]. Some ethnographic approaches to the use of information technologies in a healthcare setting have been attempted, in particular analysing the ways in which they are implicated in social practice [14], although this approach has not yet been taken to the more informal and commercial technologies and practices central to this study.…”