A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-based dietary intervention

Citation

Whitehead RD, Ozakinci G & Perrett DI (2014) A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-based dietary intervention. Health Psychology, 33 (1), pp. 99-102. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032322

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.

Keywords
fruit and vegetables; diet; appearance-based intervention; skin color; carotenoids

Journal
Health Psychology: Volume 33, Issue 1

• Published version