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Table 4 Types of write your own physical activity and nutrition behaviour change goals set by users of the eaTracker® My Goals feature organized by topic and specificity

From: A retrospective analysis of real-world use of the eaTracker® My Goals website by adults from Ontario and Alberta, Canada

 

Specific (e.g., with amount)

(n = number of goal statements with specified goal type)

Less specific (e.g., with amount)

(n = number of goal statements with specified goal type)

Physical activity behaviour change goals (n = 734 statements included these goals)

 Aerobic (e.g., running, swimming etc.)

n = 149

n = 85

 Strength and flexibility (e.g., weights, yoga, Pilates etc.)

n = 24

n = 52

 Unknown exercise

n = 89

n = 347

 Other (e.g., fitness classes, exergaming, activity tracking)

n = 27

n = 4

Nutrition behaviour change goals (n = 1,568 statements included these goals)

 Canada’s Food Guide Food Group Goals

  Vegetables and Fruit

↑/specific serving number amounts

n = 42

n = 80

Limit certain vegetables and fruit

n = 3

-

Improving vegetable and fruit quality

n = 2

n = 4

  Grain Products

↑/specific serving number amounts

n = 1

n = 2

Limit grain products (e.g., bread) or specific grain products

n = 7

n = 9

↑ whole grains/try new grains

n = 5

n = 2

  Milk and Alternatives

↑/specific serving number amount

n = 2

n = 1

Limit milk and alternatives

n = 8

n = 3

Choose healthier milk and alternatives (e.g., low fat products)

n = 3

-

  Meat and Alternatives

↑/specific serving number amount

n = 1

n = 1

Limit meat and alternatives (including limit red meat)

n = 6

n = 4

Choose fish, lean meats, or meat alternatives

n = 12

n = 15

 Limiting unhealthy foods/beverages and/or fat, cholesterol, sodium, and/or sugar in general

n = 140

n = 91

 Alcohol

n = 22

n = 12

 Water

n = 62

n = 53

 Limit coffee and/or caffeine

n = 10

n = 2

 Eat more/specific amounts of certain nutrients

n = 32

n = 57

 Eat less/limit certain nutrients (except fat, sodium, and sugar)

n = 12

n = 31

 Caloric/food intake amounts

n = 69

n = 28

 Portion control

n = 10

n = 42

 Self-monitor diet and/or ↑ awareness

n = 74

n = 19

 Eating out less/Eat at home more

n = 8

n = 7

 Evening/night time eating

n = 60

n = 10

 Follow Canada’s Food Guide

n = 36

 

 Follow vegetarian/vegan diets

n = 12

 

 Follow fad diets

n = 15

 

 Gluten free (includes wheat free)

n = 21

 

 Follow other plans

n = 38

 

 Glycemic index

n = 4

 

 Clean eating

n = 15

 

 Supplements

n = 7

 

 Planning and preparing food

n = 29

n = 38

 Goals describing when food is eaten or not eaten/eating patterns

n = 46

n = 31

 Breakfast

n = 24

n = 1

 Psychological aspects of eating

n = 31

n = 16

 General eating improvementsa

n = 71

n = 261

 Otherb

n = 6

n = 6

  1. aGoals making reference to unspecific eating for a specific outcome (e.g., disease management) were coded as General Healthy Eating (lacks specificity) (n = 57 entries)
  2. bIncludes alternate/natural sweeteners, organic eating, adding/removing miscellaneous foods, avoiding allergens, eating as normal
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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