ARS | Publication request: Nominal group technique-elicited barriers and facilitators to following the Dietary Guidelines for solid fats and added sugars in children: The HEALTH Study

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2012
Publication Date: October 11, 2012
Citation: Jahns, L.A., Bogle, M., Chester, D.N., Laugero, K.D., Tucker, K., Nicklas, T. 2012. Nominal group technique-elicited barriers and facilitators to following the Dietary Guidelines for solid fats and added sugars in children: The HEALTH Study. Meeting Abstract. 112(3):A11.

Technical Abstract: The US population has a high intake of discretionary solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) which currently exceeds federal dietary recommendations. The goal of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to following the DGA. Thirty-eight 5th grade children across six Human Nutrition Research Centers participated in Nominal Group Technique (NGT) meetings. Participants responded to the question “What sorts of things make it easier (or harder) for kids to follow the MyPyramid recommendation for eating solid fats and added sugar?” Three groups responded to the barriers question and three to the facilitators question. After generating response items, each child ranked her/his top responses, which were voted on as a group. Barriers were: being tempted to eat foods high in SoFAS; personal preference; people not liking healthy food; the perception that SoFAS taste good; not knowing what the DGA recommendation is; and lack of knowledge of the SoFAS content of foods. The top facilitators for limiting SoFAS were choosing healthier foods over SoFAS; limiting or moderating intake of candy and fast foods; self-restraint; and making rules for eating out and shopping. Nominal group technique provided a mechanism for understanding children’s self-reported barriers and facilitators to following recommendations for solid fats and added sugars, which may help to target programs that improve DGA adherence and practice.