A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-based dietary intervention
View/ Open
Date
2014Keywords
Metadata
Show full item recordAltmetrics Handle Statistics
Altmetrics DOI Statistics
Abstract
Objective: Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption precipitates preventable morbidity and mortality. The efficacy of an appearance-based dietary intervention was investigated, which illustrates the beneficial effect that fruit and vegetable consumption has on skin appearance. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to three groups receiving information-only or a generic or own-face appearance-based intervention. Diet was recorded at baseline and 10 weekly follow-ups. Participants in the generic and own-face intervention groups witnessed on-screen stimuli and received printed photographic materials to illustrate the beneficial effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on skin color. Results: Controlling for baseline diet, a significant effect of intervention group was found on self-reported fruit and vegetable intake among 46 completers who were free of medical and personal reasons preventing diet change. The own-face appearance-based intervention group reported a significant, sustained improvement in fruit and vegetable consumption whereas the information-only and generic appearance-based intervention groups reported no significant dietary changes. Conclusions: Seeing the potential benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption on own skin color may motivate dietary improvement.
Citation
Whitehead , R D , Ozakinci , G & Perrett , D I 2014 , ' A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-based dietary intervention ' , Health Psychology , vol. 33 , no. 1 , pp. 99-102 . https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032322
Publication
Health Psychology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0278-6133Type
Journal article
Rights
© 2013 American Psychological Association. This article was made open access through BIS OA funding.
Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.