Piloting iCook 4-H Prepares Program for Community Dissemination

Abstract

ObjectiveNutrition education programs may fail to generate widespread impact if developed without clear foresight into the feasibility of dissemination in community settings. iCook 4-H is a multi-state research study implemented in out-of-school settings. The objective was to pilot-test process evaluation, fidelity, and outcome measures of iCook in preparation for dissemination.Design, Setting and ParticipantsThe study was a one-group, pre-/post- test design. It was designed as a lifestyle approach to obesity prevention for youth aged 9-10 and their primary adult food preparer. Cooperative Extension Educators were researcher-trained to deliver the program. Dyads (n=27), recruited by educators, participated in 8 bi-weekly sessions using technology (i.e., video cameras and website activities) to increase culinary skills, family meals, physical activity and goal setting for behavior change.Outcome Measures and AnalysisA three-pronged evaluation was used including process evaluations of dyads and program leaders, fidelity of implementation over 38% of sessions, and an outcome program evaluation. Analyses included word clouds generated from process evaluations and general descriptives in SPSS.ResultsWord cloud themes included “cooking,” “togetherness, and “child learning.” Based on fidelity, session objectives were met 85% of time. Youth reported increases in cooking by themselves (P=0.007), cooking with help (P=0.022), kitchen skill self-efficacy (P=0.024), using technology with help (P=0.004); trend in goal creation and completion (P=0.088); no change in physical activity. Adults increased outcome measures (e.g., culinary confidence) (P=0.015).Conclusions and ImplicationsTransition from research to community settings was successful for the iCook 4-H pilot. Feedback was provided for modifications to enhance leader training materials and refine the curriculum for ease of use in dissemination.FundingNIFA, University Experiment Stations at land-grant institutions. ObjectiveNutrition education programs may fail to generate widespread impact if developed without clear foresight into the feasibility of dissemination in community settings. iCook 4-H is a multi-state research study implemented in out-of-school settings. The objective was to pilot-test process evaluation, fidelity, and outcome measures of iCook in preparation for dissemination. Nutrition education programs may fail to generate widespread impact if developed without clear foresight into the feasibility of dissemination in community settings. iCook 4-H is a multi-state research study implemented in out-of-school settings. The objective was to pilot-test process evaluation, fidelity, and outcome measures of iCook in preparation for dissemination. Design, Setting and ParticipantsThe study was a one-group, pre-/post- test design. It was designed as a lifestyle approach to obesity prevention for youth aged 9-10 and their primary adult food preparer. Cooperative Extension Educators were researcher-trained to deliver the program. Dyads (n=27), recruited by educators, participated in 8 bi-weekly sessions using technology (i.e., video cameras and website activities) to increase culinary skills, family meals, physical activity and goal setting for behavior change. The study was a one-group, pre-/post- test design. It was designed as a lifestyle approach to obesity prevention for youth aged 9-10 and their primary adult food preparer. Cooperative Extension Educators were researcher-trained to deliver the program. Dyads (n=27), recruited by educators, participated in 8 bi-weekly sessions using technology (i.e., video cameras and website activities) to increase culinary skills, family meals, physical activity and goal setting for behavior change. Outcome Measures and AnalysisA three-pronged evaluation was used including process evaluations of dyads and program leaders, fidelity of implementation over 38% of sessions, and an outcome program evaluation. Analyses included word clouds generated from process evaluations and general descriptives in SPSS. A three-pronged evaluation was used including process evaluations of dyads and program leaders, fidelity of implementation over 38% of sessions, and an outcome program evaluation. Analyses included word clouds generated from process evaluations and general descriptives in SPSS. ResultsWord cloud themes included “cooking,” “togetherness, and “child learning.” Based on fidelity, session objectives were met 85% of time. Youth reported increases in cooking by themselves (P=0.007), cooking with help (P=0.022), kitchen skill self-efficacy (P=0.024), using technology with help (P=0.004); trend in goal creation and completion (P=0.088); no change in physical activity. Adults increased outcome measures (e.g., culinary confidence) (P=0.015). Word cloud themes included “cooking,” “togetherness, and “child learning.” Based on fidelity, session objectives were met 85% of time. Youth reported increases in cooking by themselves (P=0.007), cooking with help (P=0.022), kitchen skill self-efficacy (P=0.024), using technology with help (P=0.004); trend in goal creation and completion (P=0.088); no change in physical activity. Adults increased outcome measures (e.g., culinary confidence) (P=0.015). Conclusions and ImplicationsTransition from research to community settings was successful for the iCook 4-H pilot. Feedback was provided for modifications to enhance leader training materials and refine the curriculum for ease of use in dissemination. Transition from research to community settings was successful for the iCook 4-H pilot. Feedback was provided for modifications to enhance leader training materials and refine the curriculum for ease of use in dissemination.