Abstract
Objective
To test the hypotheses that interventions clearly based on theory, multiple theories,
or a formal intervention planning process will be more effective in changing fruit
and vegetable consumption among children than interventions with no behavioral theoretical
foundation.
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Setting
Identification of articles in PubMed, PsycInfo, Medline, Cochrane Collaborative database,
and existing literature reviews and meta-analyses.
Participants
Children aged 2–18 years.
Interventions
Change in fruit and/or vegetable consumption in dietary change interventions.
Methods
Meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis, and summary reporting for articles.
Conclusions and Implications
Predicating an intervention on behavioral theory had a small to moderate enhancement
(P < .001) of outcome effectiveness. Differences in mean Hedges' g effect sizes between theory and non-theory interventions were 0.232 for fruit, 0.043
for vegetables, and 0.333 for fruit and vegetables combined. There was mixed support,
however, for enhanced dietary change with multiple theories or a formal planning process.
After controlling for study quality, theory use was related only to vegetable consumption
(β = 0.373; P < .001). More research is needed on theory's influences on dietary behaviors to guide
future interventions among children. More research is also needed to identify what
may be effective practical- or experience-based procedures that complement theory,
to incorporate into interventions.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 19,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
