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Research suggests that issue involvement moderates the efficacy of gain and loss frames, yet the extent to which this is true across behaviors and contexts is an open question. In this study, I examined the moderating role of issue involvement in the context of fruit and vegetable intake in Lima, Peru. Only 11.3% of the Peruvian population 15 years old or older consume five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, even though this health behavior prevents the onset of chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. Guided by the Reasoned Action Approach and research about the effects of gain and loss frames, I conducted an experiment (N=253, three conditions: gain-framed messages condition; loss-framed messages condition; and no-message, control condition) to assess the effect of gain- and loss-framed messages on mothers' intentions to increase fruits and vegetables consumption among their 1- to 5-year-old children in Lima. Results indicated that mothers who saw gain-framed messages reported greater intentions than those who did not see any messages (control condition). However, issue involvement moderated the effect of gain frames, such that mothers low in issue involvement reported greater intentions after seeing the gain-framed messages. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although nutrients in fruits and vegetables are necessary for proper development and disease prevention, most US children consume fewer servings than recommended. Prescriptions for fruits and vegetables, written by physicians to exchange for fresh produce, address access and affordability challenges while emphasizing the vital role of diet in health promotion and disease prevention. Michigan's first fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) exclusively for children was introduced in 2016 at one large pediatric clinic in Flint and expanded to a second clinic in 2018. The program provides one $15 prescription for fresh produce to all pediatric patients at every office visit. Prescriptions are redeemable at a year-round farmers' market or a local mobile market. The current study will assess the impact of this FVPP on diet, food security, and weight status of youth.Methods: Demographically similar pediatric patient groups with varying levels of exposure to the FVPP at baseline will be compared: high exposure (> 24 months), moderate exposure (12-24 months), and no previous exposure. Data collection will focus on youth ages 8-16 years. A total of 700 caregiver-child dyads (one caregiver and one child per household) will be enrolled in the study, with approximately 200 dyads at clinic 1 (high exposure); 200 dyads at clinic 2 (moderate exposure), and 300 dyads at clinic 3 (no previous exposure). Children with no previous exposure will be introduced to the FVPP, and changes in diet, food security, and weight status will be tracked over two years. Specific aims are to (1) compare baseline diet, food security, and weight status between pediatric patients with varying levels of exposure to the FVPP; (2) measure changes in diet, food security, and weight status before and after never-before-exposed children are introduced to the FVPP; and (3) compare mean 12- and 24-month follow-up measures of diet, food security, and weight status in the initial no exposure group to baseline measures in the high exposure group.Discussion: Completion of study aims will provide evidence for the effectiveness of pediatric FVPPs and insights regarding the duration and intensity of exposure necessary to influence change.Trial Registration: The study was registered through clinicaltrials.gov [ID: NCT04767282] on February 23, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]