This Phase II SBIR will develop and test a theory based, developmentally appropriate, and culturally specific intervention designed to promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged Black early adolescents aged 11 through 14 years. Drawing from the theoretical and empirical dietary behavior change literature and Phase I data, Phase II will draft intervention content. Formative evaluation procedures will ensure that intervention content is culturally and developmentally appropriate for the target population. The intervention will undergo successive reviews by an expert panel; a panel of community-based professionals that have experience working with economically disadvantaged Black youths; and a sample of 48 youths representative of the target population. Revisions will be made to the intervention based on feedback provided by these referents, and the intervention will be programmed for CD-ROM-mediated delivery. The efficacy of the CD-ROM-mediated intervention, relative to no intervention, will be examined in a randomized-subjects pretest-posttest control group design. Recruited through youth services agencies across greater New York City, 974 informed and consenting youths will be randomized to experimental and control study arms. Experimental arm youths will interact with the software in four on-site sessions delivered over an eight-month period. Youths will complete outcome measurement batteries before and after intervention. Outcome analyses will determine the efficacy of the computer-mediated intervention in increasing youth's fruit and vegetable consumption and promoting forward movement through the stages of change for fruit and vegetable consumption. Should the CD-ROM intervention prove effective, it will be disseminated to schools and youth services agencies similar to those engaged in this research and development effort through direct marketing efforts and through licensing agreements with distributors of youth-oriented health promotion programs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44CA097849-02
Application #
6788340
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-D (10))
Program Officer
Dresser, Connie M
Project Start
2002-07-15
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-15
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$493,496
Indirect Cost
Name
Intersystems, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
614717577
City
Roxbury
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06783
Di Noia, Jennifer; Thompson, Debbe (2012) Processes of change for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Eat Behav 13:58-61
Di Noia, Jennifer; Mauriello, Leanne; Byrd-Bredbenner, Carol et al. (2012) Validity and reliability of a dietary stages of change measure among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. Am J Health Promot 26:381-9
Di Noia, Jennifer; Prochaska, James O (2010) Mediating variables in a transtheoretical model dietary intervention program. Health Educ Behav 37:753-62
Di Noia, Jennifer; Contento, Isobel R; Prochaska, James O (2008) Computer-mediated intervention tailored on transtheoretical model stages and processes of change increases fruit and vegetable consumption among urban African-American adolescents. Am J Health Promot 22:336-41
Di Noia, Jennifer; Contento, Isobel R; Schinke, Steven P (2008) Fat avoidance and replacement behaviors predict low-fat intake among urban African American adolescents. Nutr Res 28:358-63
Di Noia, Jennifer; Schinke, Steven P; Contento, Isobel R (2008) Dietary fat intake among urban, African American adolescents. Eat Behav 9:251-6