Varying the message source in computer-tailored nutrition education

The effect of message source on message recall and perceived credibility wa s examined in a randomized study comparing two different computer-tailored bulletins promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among rural African Ame rican church members. An expert oriented (EXP) bulletin was compared with a spiritual and pastor-oriented (SPIR) bulletin and a control group. Both bu lletins had the same format and used an identical set of dietary and psycho social variables for tailoring. At follow-up, the majority of both interven tion groups recalled receiving the bulletin, however message trust was high er in the SPIR group (P < 0.05). The EXP group reported higher trust of hea lth and nutrition information coming from scientific research (P < 0.01), a nd the SPIR group reported higher trust of information coming from the past or (P < 0.05). Both bulletin groups increased fruit and vegetable consumpti on significantly compared to the control group; however, this difference co uld not be solely attributed to the tailored intervention which was part of a multi-component program. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.