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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Feasibility Study of a WhatsApp-Delivered Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Habits in Male Firefighters

Author

Listed:
  • Winnie Wing Man Ng

    (Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies, College of Professional and Continuing Education, No. 8 Hung Lok Road, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China)

  • Anthony Siu Wo Wong

    (Centre for Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kin Cheung

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

This cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT)-designed study aimed to explore the feasibility of a promotion pamphlet and/or WhatsApp as a suitable mode of delivery to promote healthy eating habits with fruit and vegetables (F&V) among firefighters. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. Forty-five firefighters from 23 fire stations were recruited and they all received the printed pamphlet, while the intervention group participants ( n = 20) received additional teaching material through WhatsApp every two weeks for eight weeks. Feasibility outcomes included retention, practicality, and implementation. The participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. There were significant improvements in the mean numbers of days consuming F&V ( p = 0.002; p = 0.031) in the intervention group, and for fruit consumption ( p = 0.033) in the control group between the baseline (T 0 ) and 3 months after completion of intervention (T 1 ). High levels of participants’ satisfaction with the intervention revealed that a full-scale CRCT of the WhatsApp-delivered intervention promoting healthy eating could be feasible, especially as a means of increasing the numbers of days they consumed F&V and the numbers of servings of these consumed per day.

Suggested Citation

  • Winnie Wing Man Ng & Anthony Siu Wo Wong & Kin Cheung, 2021. "A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Feasibility Study of a WhatsApp-Delivered Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Habits in Male Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6633-:d:578397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tali Heiman & Dorit Olenik-Shemesh, 2019. "Perceived Body Appearance and Eating Habits: The Voice of Young and Adult Students Attending Higher Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Jih, J. & Le, G. & Woo, K. & Tsoh, J.Y. & Stewart, S. & Gildengorin, G. & Burke, A. & Wong, C. & Chan, E. & Fung, L.-C. & Yu, F. & Pasick, R. & McPhee, S.J. & Nguyen, T.T., 2016. "Educational interventions to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity among older Chinese Americans: A cluster-randomized trial," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(6), pages 1092-1098.
    3. Charli Sargent & Xuan Zhou & Raymond W. Matthews & David Darwent & Gregory D. Roach, 2016. "Daily Rhythms of Hunger and Satiety in Healthy Men during One Week of Sleep Restriction and Circadian Misalignment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, January.
    4. Seiyeong Park & Junhye Kwon & Kyoungmin Noh & Chung Gun Lee & Wook Song & Jung-jun Park & Han-joon Lee & Dong-il Seo & Hyun Joo Kang & Yeon Soon Ahn, 2020. "Relationship between Shift Type and Voluntary Exercise Training in South Korean Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-9, January.
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