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Title: FORMATIVE EVALUATION FOR PLANNING BEHAVIOR CHANGE INTERVENTIONS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA

Author
item MCGEE, B - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item RICHARDSON, V - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item JOHNSON, G - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item THORNTON, A - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item JOHNSON, C - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item YADRICK, K - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item NDIRANGU, M - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item GOOLSBY, S - ACHRI
item Kramer, Tim
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2003
Publication Date: 7/19/2003
Citation: MCGEE, B., RICHARDSON, V., JOHNSON, G., THORNTON, A., JOHNSON, C., YADRICK, K., NDIRANGU, M., GOOLSBY, S., KRAMER, T.R., BOGLE, M.L. FORMATIVE EVALUATION FOR PLANNING BEHAVIOR CHANGE INTERVENTIONS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Quebec, Canada. 2003. p. 67.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Purpose: To utilize focus groups to provide information to assess resources, needs, and opportunities for sustainable nutrition interventions in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD). The aim was to ascertain perceptions of Delta residents of acquisition and consumption of healthy foods and factors that could possibly influence their behavior in the consumption of healthy foods. Methods: Twenty-seven focus groups were conducted in nine counties in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The groups included 255 persons, 240 females and 15 males (18-60+ years of age), and 176 African Americans, 73 Caucasians, five (5) Hispanics, and one (1) Asian. The discussion topics were healthy foods, shopping, and behavioral change. Data analyses were completed by general and specific content coding. Descriptive and interpretative summaries and emerging themes were identified for each topic. Results: Common emerging themes for all three topics were health concerns and health as it relates to disease and family influence and personal preference. Healthy food themes included barriers or constraints associated with making healthy food choices, traditional eating patterns vs. current cultural influences, and approaches to promote healthy eating. Shopping themes included economic factors, and availability and quality of fresh produce. Behavioral change themes included increased knowledge and skills, personal responsibility, health benefits of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and food and nutrition resources. Conclusions: Focus groups in the LMD identified many important themes relevant to the development of nutrition interventions in these communities. These data will be used in the community participatory interventions being developed in the LMD.