TPB-Based Interventions can Prevent the Decline in Balanced Diet in French Schoolchildren Over Time

Abstract

Background : This study examined the effects of TPB-based interventions using the taxonomy of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in improving balanced diet in French children aged 12-14 yrs. Methods : Allocation to intervention group (intervention vs. control) was randomised at the school-level, the intervention group received 2 hour-long interventions containing BCTs to improve attitudes and perceived behavioural control. Self-reported diet was assessed pre- and post-interventions. The resulting data were coded by a nutritionist and transformed into a novel measure representing the extent to which the participant achieved a balanced diet. Findings : Multi-level modelling indicated that there was a significant interaction effect between intervention group and balanced diet over time, b = 1.54, t(1836) = 2.13, p = .03. Separate models for each intervention group revealed that balanced diet decreased over time in the control group, b = -1.20, t(1200) = -2.34, p = .02, but did not in the intervention group, b = .04, t(636) = 0.86, p = 0.39, suggesting a buffering effect of the interventions. Discussion : Theory-based interventions can prevent the worsening of diet over time.