Abstract
Introduction
Few have examined the effects of psychosocial nutrition interventions targeting young
adults, a population with low fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. This study investigated
the impact of nutrition interventions with psychosocial content on improving young
adult FV intake.
Method
This registered systematic review was guided by the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Results
Searches on CINAHL, Embase, Medline PubMed, Ovid-Medline, PsychInfo, and Web of Science
identified 4,113 records. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials were extracted.
Eighteen studies found significant between-group differences in fruit and/or vegetable
intake. Young adults with low income and racial-ethnic subgroups were underrepresented.
A typology emerged as an organizing framework from the psychosocial intervention content.
Interventions were anticipatory, socially engaged, a hybrid (anticipatory and socially
engaged), or exposure-based. Studies also reported unintended consequences.
Discussion
Significant between-group differences were mostly reported by anticipatory, socially
engaged, or hybrid interventions, aligning with young adult developmental needs through
detailed planning, goal-setting tasks, and/or addressing social norms. Interventions
with insignificant differences lacked engagement and adequate exposure.
Implications for Research and Practice
Demographically inclusive studies are imperative in addressing dietary disparities
by socioeconomic status. A typology of interventions emphasizing content rather than
theories or treatment strategies widens opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
More research is needed to mitigate unintended consequences (boomerang effects) in
which FV intake decreased postintervention or participants disengaged in activities
intended to increase FV intake.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 25, 2021
Accepted:
January 3,
2021
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
