For Immediate Release
Friday, August 27, 2004

Media Contact:
Jeannette Warnert
(559) 241-7514
jwarnert@ucop.edu

It doesn't take a lot to put diet on the right track
 
FRESNO – Researchers at the University of California have demonstrated that even a single, brief use of a nutrition education CD-ROM can help people improve their diets. 
 
The researchers conducted a randomized trial in which some people used an interactive CD-ROM program developed by UC Berkeley nutrition educators titled Little by Little .  A control group used a stress-management CD-ROM.  Two months later, the Little by Little group had increased their fruit and vegetable intake significantly more than the control group.
 
This is a tool that we have shown really works, said Gladys Block, the UC Berkeley professor of Epidemiology and Public Health Nutrition who led the study.  It worked with people of all education levels.  And the best part is its brief and easy.  During the research study, the subjects spent on average 12 to 15 minutes with the program.
 
Dietitians have for decades encouraged Americans to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption. However, recent statistics show that only a quarter of Americans eat the recommended level of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
 
People find it hard to change dietary behavior, said nutritionist Patsy Wakimoto, co-investigator of the study. Asking them to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day may be overwhelming and they may be afraid to undertake any change at all if they believe it will be too difficult.
 
The UC Berkeley CD-ROM program, Little by Little , encourages small dietary changes, to move people in the right direction toward a better diet. The user selects specific areas in which to make changes, and the program gives suggestions that aren't obscured by a tidal wave of nutrition advice.
 
If you don't have a lot of time, you go to the time section. If you eat out a lot, you'll find hints on getting more fruits and vegetables when eating out. If money is an issue, you can go there.  If you pack lunches for yourself or children, the program offers ideas. People only click the aspects of the program they think will help them, Block said. The whole point is giving people something easy that they can do to improve their diets.
 
Little by Little opens with multiple-choice questions that help users assess whether their fruit and vegetable consumption matches recommendations.
 
Many people think they are doing OK in terms of fruit and vegetable consumption. The screening tool at the beginning allows them to objectively analyze that part of their diets, Block said. We've found that people are unlikely to undertake change based on generalizations about what the whole population should be doing. People are more likely to respond to the personalization offered in Little by Little .
 
Once the assessment is completed, the user selects from a short list of modules. Within the modules, they are offered easy, common-sense tips and suggestions to move them toward their dietary goal. The objective, Block said, is to boost fruit and vegetable intake in small increments.
 
We were surprised and pleased that such a brief intervention can actually have a positive impact on people's diets two months later, Block said.

The study was conducted in collaboration with nutrition advisors and staff of the California Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties, and the University of California Cooperative Extension and Food Stamps Program in Solano County. The research results were published this summer in the Centers for Disease Control online journal, Preventing Chronic Disease ( http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/jul/04_0016.htm ).
 
The researchers suggest that the program may be implemented in libraries, clinics, senior centers or grocery stories.  Copies of the CD-ROM Little by Little are available for $25.  For quantity discounts, more information or to order, e-mail littlebylittleuc@netscape.net

# # #