Impact of Baltimore Health Eating Zones Study on Psychosocial Factors among African American Caregivers

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in the US. The Baltimore Healthy Eating Zones (BHEZ) study is a point‐of‐purchase intervention trial to improve access and consumption of healthy foods in low‐income neighborhoods. During 9‐month intervention trial in recreation centers (7 intervention, 7 control) and corner stores, we led youth‐led health education and nutrition promotion. In evaluation, 242 dyads of African‐American youths (ages 10–14) and their adult caregivers were surveyed at pre‐ and post‐ intervention. Three food‐related psychosocial variables were assessed: self‐efficacy (SE) (Cronbach's α=0.623); intentions (I) (α=0.706); knowledge (K) (α=0.282). Paired sample t‐ tests for pre‐ and post‐intervention data compared the impact between control and intervention groups, and showed no significant changes among adult caregivers in the intervention zone; SE (p=0.593), I (p=0.216) and K (p=0.671). Using independent samples t‐test, the changes in scores showed no significant difference between among adults in comparison areas; SE (p=0.237), I (p=0.300) and K (p=0.520). The preliminary findings showed no improvements in caregivers, which may be attributable to the intervention's primary focus of impacting youths and/or to the reliability of the scales. Future interventions should focus impact on caregivers because caregivers buy and prepare many of the foods that youth consume.Grant Funding Source: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation