Encouraging Young Adults to Make Effective Nutrition Choices: MENU Gen Y Study

描述（由申请人提供）：为了支持NIH改善人们健康和支持健康生活方式的目标，我们将进行一项随机试验，以评估一项针对年龄的基于网络的干预措施，该干预措施旨在改善年轻人（21-30岁）在更独立的新生活阶段的饮食。我们的研究目标是利用吸引这一群体的相关特征，增加1980年或之后出生的年轻人（被称为“Y一代”（GenY））的水果和蔬菜（FV）的每日摄入量。这个为期五年的项目分为两个阶段。在第一阶段，我们将使用焦点小组来确认计划的、针对GenY需求和偏好的关键干预元素，并在我们修改经过测试的、有效的基于互联网的干预（Making effective Nutrition Choices or MENU, U19-CA079689）时，建立干预的参与。MENU研究旨在支持FV摄入量的增加，并完全依赖于电子媒体（互联网和电子邮件）。在拟议的研究中，我们将修订MENU课程，应用以年龄为目标和理论为基础的方法来提高干预干预的参与和有效性，以改变geni饮食行为。干预措施将使用三个社会心理特征，这些特征已按年龄组进行了实证检验：社会认知理论、自决理论（SDT），特别注意社会营销理论（SMT），该理论强调了解整体环境，以更好地塑造健康沟通。在开发我们的项目时，我们将运用发展心理学的知识，在我们的顾问的指导下，以及在我们的初步研究和第一阶段的基因焦点小组中收集的个人、环境和社会因素的形成性研究。焦点小组成员将在启动前评估我们经过验证的MENU干预措施，以及我们修订的针对年龄的交互式“MENU GenY”干预措施。在第二阶段，我们将评估MENU GenY干预措施的有效性，包括通过电子邮件进行自我发起的个性化电子辅导支持的附加价值，作为定制在线干预措施的补充。具体来说，使用1624名年龄在21 - 30岁的成年人样本，来自两个地理位置不同的地区（底特律城市和宾夕法尼亚州农村），并采用随机的三组设计，第二阶段的主要目的是：1)确定以年龄为目标的、量身定制的基于网络的干预是否比无年龄目标的非定制干预组（对照组）更有效地改善每日FV摄入量；2)确定有年龄目标和个性化电子辅导支持的基于网络的量身定制干预是否比对照组更有效；3)确定结合年龄目标和电子咨询的网络定制干预是否比单独结合年龄目标的网络定制干预更有效。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In support of NIH goals to improve people's health and support a healthy lifestyle, we will conduct a randomized trial to evaluate an age-targeted web-based intervention designed to improve the diet of a young adults (ages 21-30) as they navigate a new life stage of greater independence. The goal of our study is to increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) for young adults born in or after 1980, known as "Generation Y" (GenY), using relevant features that appeal to this group. This five-year project has two phases. In the first phase, we will use focus groups to confirm planned, key intervention elements that target needs and preferences of GenY and will build engagement in the intervention, as we revise our tested, effective Internet- based intervention (Making Effective Nutrition Choices or MENU, U19-CA079689). The MENU study was designed to support an increase in FV intake, and relied solely on e-media (internet and email). In the proposed study we will revise the MENU curriculum, applying age-targeted and theory-based methods to improve intervention engagement and effectiveness for GenY dietary behavior change. The intervention will use three psychosocial features which have been subject to empirical examination by age group: Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Determination Theory (SDT), with special attention to Social Marketing Theory (SMT), which emphasizes understanding the total environment to better shape health communications. In developing our program, we will apply knowledge about GenY from developmental psychology, guided by our consultants and formative research on individual, environmental and societal factors collected in our preliminary studies and Phase I GenY focus groups. Focus group members will evaluate our validated MENU intervention, as well as our revised age-targeted, interactive "MENU GenY" intervention prior to launch. In the second phase, we will evaluate the efficacy of the MENU GenY interventions, including the added value of the self-initiated, personalized e-coaching support by email, as a supplement to the tailored online intervention. Specifically, using a sample of 1624 adults, ages 21 - 30 and from two geographically distinct regions (urban Detroit and rural Pennsylvania), and employing a randomized, three arm design, the primary aims of Phase II are to 1) determine if an age-targeted, tailored web-based intervention is more efficacious in improving daily intake of FV compared to an untailored intervention arm with no age targeting (control arm); 2) determine if a tailored web-based intervention with age targeting and personalized e-coaching support is more efficacious than the control; and 3) determine if the tailored web-based intervention with age targeting and e-counseling is more efficacious than a tailored web-based intervention with age targeting alone. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: As growing evidence points to increased health risks due to lifestyle choices and unhealthy eating, young adults are facing a declining life expectancy unless changes are made. The MENU Gen Y study will investigate and evaluate ways to engage and support improved dietary choices for young adults, who, at ages 21 through 30, are navigating a more independent life stage. Should our intervention be successful, our aims to use new communication media and evaluate an age-targeted online dietary behavioral change program will provide the opportunity to share essential strategies to reach this under-studied and vulnerable population, help reduce disease risk, and ultimately build lasting healthy dietary habits to help the next generation - their children.