Make Better Choices

Participants in the sequential condition will increase F/V consumption and decrease Sed behavior (weeks 1-6), then increase physical activity (weeks 7-12). Smartphones are equipped with customized real-time goal thermometers that provide objective feedback on target behaviors (FV, Sed, and PA). At the start of prescription, the FV and Sed goal thermometers are activated. During week 1-2, participants will close 1/3 of the gap between their baseline behaviors and target behaviors. During week 3-4 they will close 2/3 of the gap, and in weeks 5-6 they will achieve 100% of their goals. Participants will maintain these goals for the remainder of the 12-week intervention. At week 7, a real-time PA goal thermometer wirelessly linked to accelerometers will be activated. Similarly, in weeks 7-8 participants will be asked to close 1/3 of the gap between their baseline PA and target, in week 9-10 they will close 2/3 of the gap, and finally they will reach 100% of their PA goal in weeks 11-12.

Simultaneous MBC condition will target FV+, Sed- and PA+ simultaneously. Participants in the simultaneous condition will wear their accelerometers and enter diet and sedentary activity 5 days/week. All 3 goal thermometers will be activated from the outset of prescription. The goal will be to close 1/3 of the gap between their FV, Sed, and PA statuses and the targets in weeks 1-2, close 2/3 of the gap in weeks 3-4, reach their targets in weeks 5-6, and then maintain target level behavior changes for FV, Sed and PA through week 12.

Participants in the stress management control condition target stress, relaxation and sleep. This will serve as an attentional control condition. During the 12-week prescription period, participants will wear accelerometers, log hours slept, enter real-time information about their relaxation exercises and stress, and monitor 3 goal thermometers (sleep, relaxation, stress) to meet behavioral targets. Similarly, their goal is to close 1/3 of the gap between their baseline stress, sleep, and performance of relaxation exercises and the target criterion in weeks 1-2, close 2/3 of the gap in weeks 3-4, reach their targets in weeks 5-6, and then maintain these behavior changes through week 12.