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Effectiviteit en gebruiksvriendelijkheid van de gezond gewicht assistent: onderzoek naar de effectiviteit en gebruikersvriendelijkheid van een internetinterventie gericht op gezonder eten en meer bewegen, en de rol van locus of control

Kerkhof, S.F.C. (2011) Effectiviteit en gebruiksvriendelijkheid van de gezond gewicht assistent: onderzoek naar de effectiviteit en gebruikersvriendelijkheid van een internetinterventie gericht op gezonder eten en meer bewegen, en de rol van locus of control.

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Abstract:More and more people are getting overweight and obese. This thesis is about the research that has been conducted after the effectiveness and user-friendliness of an interactive online intervention aimed at healthy dietary and physical activity behavior. Complementary research has been done after the role of locus of control on the effectiveness of the intervention. Internet interventions can be effective in promoting healthy behavior. The intervention from this study (the Healthy Weight Assistant, HWA) is based on the Trantheoretical Model of Prochaska, Diclemente en Norcross (1992) in which behavioral change follows different stages. Besides that the constructs attitude en knowledge play a role in this model. To assess de effectiveness and user-friendliness of the HWA two online surveys were conducted, one before and one after use of the HWA. In these surveys questions were included about dietary habits, physical activity habits, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity, attitude towards health and healthy behavior, stage of change and user-friendliness. A third survey was conducted to assess whether locus of control influences the effectiveness of the HWA. The results show that usage of the HWA does not significantly changes dietary behavior, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity, attitude towards health and healthy behavior and stage of change. Usage of the HWA does lead to a significant change in physical activity behavior. Locus of control is a moderate predictor of changes in dietary behavior but does not influence physical activity behavior and the frequency in which the respondents used the HWA. The user-friendliness is considered as neutral by the respondents. The comprehensiveness of the content en language used is rated a little above average. Analyzing the results it shows that the respondents who have used the HWA score higher on dietary behavior and have a better judgment about their own dietary habits. The HWA meets a few factors that make an intervention successful, it is possible to have contact with peers en the given information is presented in an attractive manner. The HWA does not meet other factors that contribute to a successful intervention. There was no possibility to consult an expert and there were not sent any reminders to the respondents. It can be concluded that the HWA offers opportunities to influence dietary and physical activity behavior but further research is necessary to optimize the effectiveness. Additional research can be conducted to find out whether locus of control or other personality traits can influence the effects of interventions aimed at healthy behavior.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Het Voedingscentrum
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/61051
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