P74 - Key Informants' Perceptions of Needs Among Nevada's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Target Audience

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): Interviews with key informants throughout Nevada were conducted for the purpose of describing the most pressing nutrition and physical activity education needs of the SNAP-Ed target audience and examining relevant community characteristics and other environmental factors that shape behavior. The findings will complement other assessment data and be used to guide SNAP-Ed programming in the future. Objective: Describe key informants' perceptions regarding the nutrition and physical activity education needs of SNAP participants and others residing in low-income communities in Nevada. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals (n = 35) who had knowledge of SNAP households and others residing in low-income communities. Participants were strategically selected to include those from a variety of Nevada geographies and those with expertise in various disciplines, many of which had daily contact with members of the target audience. Interviews were conducted by phone and audio-recorded. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Qualitative data on nutrition and physical activity education needs and potential policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches to stimulate behavior change was analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Results: Key informants indicated that education on healthful shopping, food resource management, and cooking is necessary to achieve healthful diets. However, they noted that environmental barriers often make it difficult for Nevadans to make healthful choices. Possible PSE approaches included improved access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity, incentives for healthy behavior, nutrition signage in grocery stores, and increased collaboration among community partners. In general, the informants voiced optimism and enthusiasm for moving forward as reflected in the following theme that emerged from the interviews, “Let's make the healthy choice the easy choice-we can do it!” Conclusions and Implications: This study provided new information that can inform SNAP-Ed programming, including potential methods to make it easier for SNAP households and others residing in low-income communities to choose healthful foods and be physically active more often. Funding: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education.