Efficacy and Use of an Internet-delivered Computer-tailored Lifestyle Intervention, Targeting Saturated Fat Intake, Physical Activity and Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Annals of behavioral medicine Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 125 - 135
• Main Authors: Oenema, Anke, Brug, Johannes, Dijkstra, Arie, de Weerdt, Inge, de Vries, Hein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.04.2008; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior Therapy - methods; Clinical trials; Diet; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Exercise; Family Medicine; Fatty Acids - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids - adverse effects; Female; Follow-Up Studies; General Practice; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Psychology; Humans; Internet; Intervention; Life Style; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Original Article; Patient Dropouts; Smoking Cessation - methods; Software; Surveys and Questionnaires; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - methods; Treatment Outcome; Netherlands; Computer-tailored; Internet; Diet; Physical activity; Smoking
• ISSN: 0883-6612; 1532-4796
• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-008-9023-1

Background Although experts claim that computer-tailored interventions provided over the Internet have great potential to promote health behavior change, few studies have tested the efficacy of computer-tailored lifestyle interventions online-delivered over the Internet. Purpose To evaluate the short-term (1 month) efficacy of an Internet-delivered, computer-tailored lifestyle intervention targeting saturated fat intake, physical activity (PA), and smoking cessation, and to evaluate exposure to the intervention. Methods A pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial with an intervention group and a no intervention waiting list control group was conducted. Self-reported behavior and determinants were assessed at baseline and 1 month follow-up. Exposure to the intervention was monitored through server registrations. The data were analyzed using multiple linear and logistic regression analysis. Results The intervention resulted in a significantly lower self-reported saturated fat intake ( b  = −0.76, p  < 0.01) and a higher likelihood of meeting the PA guidelines among respondents who were insufficiently active at baseline (OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.001–1.80). No significant intervention effects were found for self-reported smoking status. Of the participants, 81% actually visited the website. Conclusions The Internet-delivered, computer-tailored lifestyle intervention was effective in reducing self-reported saturated fat intake and in increasing self-reported PA among participants who completed the study.