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Online Self‐Affirmation Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Groups at High Risk of Low Intake
Author(s) -
Fielden Amy L.,
Sillence Elizabeth,
Little Linda,
Harris Peter R.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
applied psychology: health and well‐being
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.276
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1758-0854
pISSN - 1758-0846
DOI - 10.1111/aphw.12059
Subject(s) - consumption (sociology) , environmental health , self affirmation , psychological intervention , medicine , baseline (sea) , intervention (counseling) , health benefits , gerontology , psychology , social psychology , nursing , traditional medicine , social science , oceanography , sociology , geology
Background This study tested the efficacy of self‐affirmation in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in a sample of participants comprising two groups at high risk of low consumption: young adults and mothers of school‐aged children with low social economic status ( SES ). Methods Baseline fruit and vegetable consumption was recorded for 85 participants ( n = 26 mothers with low SES ). Following randomisation to condition (Self‐Affirmed or Non‐Affirmed), participants viewed targeted, online, health recommendations about fruit and vegetable consumption. Fruit and vegetable intake was reported online every day for the following seven days. Results Self‐affirmed participants reported consuming significantly more portions of fruit and vegetables ( SA M = 3.96, NA M = 2.81). Analyses of simple slopes indicated that the effect was greatest amongst lowest baseline consumers. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the efficacy of self‐affirmation in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in individuals who are at risk of having a low intake and whose consumption put them at the greatest risk of negative health outcomes. Application of these findings could help to reduce health care costs, through the use of cost‐effective online interventions and reductions in treatment costs. Further research is needed to capitalise on the increased tailoring that online intervention allows in order to optimise the effects of self‐affirmation.