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

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by a grant from the Netherlands Heart Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Anke Oenema Ph.D. & Johannes Brug Ph.D.

  2. EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Johannes Brug Ph.D.

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Arie Dijkstra Ph.D.

  4. ResCon, Research and Consultancy, Haarlem, The Netherlands

    Inge de Weerdt Ph.D.

  5. Department of Health Education and Promotion, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Hein de Vries Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Anke Oenema Ph.D.
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  2. Johannes Brug Ph.D.
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  3. Arie Dijkstra Ph.D.
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  4. Inge de Weerdt Ph.D.
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  5. Hein de Vries Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Anke Oenema Ph.D..

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Oenema, A., Brug, J., Dijkstra, A. et al. Efficacy and Use of an Internet-delivered Computer-tailored Lifestyle Intervention, Targeting Saturated Fat Intake, Physical Activity and Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. ann. behav. med. 35, 125–135 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9023-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9023-1

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