Manga comic influences snack selection in Black and Hispanic New York City youth.

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.