A Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Increase Knowledge About Sodium Intake as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor

A Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Increase Knowledge About Sodium Intake as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor

A Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Increase Knowledge About Sodium Intake as a Major Cardiovascular Risk Factor and to Give Recommendations for a Low-sodium Healthy Diet: an Online, Randomized, Controlled Trial

This study will evaluate the effect of a short, animated storytelling intervention video on sodium intake as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease on immediate and medium-term retention of knowledge about the risks of cardiovascular diesaes due to increased sodium intake. We will also measure voluntary engagement with the content of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital. In this 4-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 10,000 adult, US participants will be randomly assigned to (1) a short, animated storytelling intervention video on sodium as a cardiovascular disease risk factor followed by surveys assessing the facts om sodium and cardiovascular disease conveyed in the video (2) the surveys only, (3) an attention placebo control video followed by the before mentioned surveys, and (4) an arm that is exposed to neither the video nor the surveys. Two weeks later, participants in all four arms will complete all of the surveys. The primary outcome is knowledge about the cardiovascular disease risk associated with increased sodium intake (immediate and medium-term). The major scondary outcome is the extent of voluntary engagement with the short, animated storytelling video content.

Sodium Excess, Cardiovascular Risk Factor, Education Entertainment Intervention, Short, Animated Storytelling

Participants will be shown a short, animated storytelling (SAS) video on dietary sodium and thereafter be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess knowledge on dietary sodium and behavioral expectation. Two weeks later, participants will once again be asked to complete the knowledge and behavioral expectation questionnaire.

Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess knowledge on dietary sodium and behavioral expectation (the same questionnaire as in arm 1, however, without being exposed to the SAS video on dietary sodium before. Two weeks later, participants will once again be asked to complete the knowledge and behavioral expectation questionnaire.

Participants will be shown a attention placebo control (APC) video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial, before being asked to complete the knowledge and behavioral expectation questionnaire. Two weeks later, participants will once again be asked to complete the knowledge and behavioral expectation questionnaire.

Participants will not view a video and will not be asked to complete the questionnaire. Two weeks later, participants will once again be asked to complete the knowledge and behavioral expectation questionnaire.

Participants in the Intervention Arm will view a short, animated storytelling video on dietary sodium and the risks of cardiovascular disease due to increased intake of sodium.

The Attention Placebo Control Arm will view an attention placebo control video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial.

Immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on knowledge about dietary sodium as a cardiovascular risk factor

The immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on knowledge about dietary sodium as a cardiovascular risk factor assessed by a sodium questionnaire containing 30 questions.

Medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on knowledge about dietary sodium as a cardiovascular risk factor

The medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on knowledge about dietary sodium as a cardiovascular risk factor assessed by a sodium questionnaire containing 30 questions.

Immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on behavioral expectation to reduce dietary sodium.

The immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on behavioral expectation to reduce dietary sodium assessed by a questionnaire containing 30 questions on behavioral expectation.

Medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on behavioral expectation to reduce dietary sodium.

The medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on behavioral expectation to reduce dietary sodium assessed by a questionnaire containing 30 questions on behavioral expectation.

Assessment of the frequency (absolute number) of watching the trial videos after completion of the trial questionnaires

Assessment of the duration (in minutes) of watching the trial videos after completion of the trial questionnaires