May May Leung1, Gina Tripicchio2, Alen Agaronov3, Ningqi Hou4. 1. Nutrition Program, City University of New York School of Public Health, Hunter College, New York, NY. Electronic address: mm.leung@hunter.cuny.edu. 2. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC. 3. Nutrition Program, City University of New York School of Public Health, Hunter College, New York, NY. 4. Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single exposure to a Manga comic (Japanese comic art) with multiple messages promoting fruit intake influenced snack selection in minority urban youth. METHODS:Fifty-seven youth (mean age 10.8 y; 54% female; 74% black/African American) attending after-school programs in Brooklyn, NY participated in a pilot study in which they were randomly assigned to receive the comic or a non-health-related newsletter. After reading their media, participants were offered a snack and could choose from among healthy/unhealthy options. Secondary outcomes included knowledge, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations related to fruit intake and media transportation. Data were analyzed using regression and paired t test. RESULTS: Comic group participants were significantly more likely to choose a healthy snack, compared to the Attention-control group (odds ratio = 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-12.1, P = .04). The Comic group reported increases in self-efficacy (P = .04) and greater transportation (immersion into media) (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest Manga comics may be a useful format to promote healthy snack selection in urban minority youth.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single exposure to a Manga comic (Japanese comic art) with multiple messages promoting fruit intake influenced snack selection in minority urban youth. METHODS: Fifty-seven youth (mean age 10.8 y; 54% female; 74% black/African American) attending after-school programs in Brooklyn, NY participated in a pilot study in which they were randomly assigned to receive the comic or a non-health-related newsletter. After reading their media, participants were offered a snack and could choose from among healthy/unhealthy options. Secondary outcomes included knowledge, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations related to fruit intake and media transportation. Data were analyzed using regression and paired t test. RESULTS: Comic group participants were significantly more likely to choose a healthy snack, compared to the Attention-control group (odds ratio = 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-12.1, P = .04). The Comic group reported increases in self-efficacy (P = .04) and greater transportation (immersion into media) (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest Manga comics may be a useful format to promote healthy snack selection in urban minority youth.