Project YEAH-American Indian: Tailoring a Web-Delivered Weight Maintenance Intervention for American Indian College Students

Abstract

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine whether Project YEAH (Young Adults Eating and Active for Health), a theory-based, web-delivered, weight maintenance tool developed for college students is culturally relevant for American Indian (AI) public university students.Theory, Prior Research, RationaleHigh levels of obesity-related health disparities are common among AI populations. AI public university students often face unique challenges that may contribute to health disparities. Few interventions have been developed that meet the needs of AI college students.Study Design, Setting, Participants, and InterventionProject YEAH was created using the PRECEDE-PROCEDE process of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and developed with the ability to be tailored. Only 0.07% of Project YEAH participants identified themselves as AI. Focus groups with AI students attending South Dakota State University were conducted to assess aesthetic appeal of the website and determine variations of health-related content. Participants were recruited with assistance from the American Indian Education and Cultural Center and through on-campus publicity.Outcome, Measures and AnalysisMultistep coding was used to evaluate focus group dialogue.ResultsData reveals that AI public university students have specific aesthetic preferences. They relate more to non-stereotypical images of AI people versus people of other ethnicities. Depending on cultural tradition students vary in health-related factors of food choices, physical activities, time management, and stressors.Conclusions and ImplicationsSpecific and culturally-relevant psychographic information of AI college students is needed to create effective weight maintenance tools and to prevent stereotypical content.FundingUSDA, South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine whether Project YEAH (Young Adults Eating and Active for Health), a theory-based, web-delivered, weight maintenance tool developed for college students is culturally relevant for American Indian (AI) public university students. The goal of this study was to determine whether Project YEAH (Young Adults Eating and Active for Health), a theory-based, web-delivered, weight maintenance tool developed for college students is culturally relevant for American Indian (AI) public university students. Theory, Prior Research, RationaleHigh levels of obesity-related health disparities are common among AI populations. AI public university students often face unique challenges that may contribute to health disparities. Few interventions have been developed that meet the needs of AI college students. High levels of obesity-related health disparities are common among AI populations. AI public university students often face unique challenges that may contribute to health disparities. Few interventions have been developed that meet the needs of AI college students. Study Design, Setting, Participants, and InterventionProject YEAH was created using the PRECEDE-PROCEDE process of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and developed with the ability to be tailored. Only 0.07% of Project YEAH participants identified themselves as AI. Focus groups with AI students attending South Dakota State University were conducted to assess aesthetic appeal of the website and determine variations of health-related content. Participants were recruited with assistance from the American Indian Education and Cultural Center and through on-campus publicity. Project YEAH was created using the PRECEDE-PROCEDE process of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and developed with the ability to be tailored. Only 0.07% of Project YEAH participants identified themselves as AI. Focus groups with AI students attending South Dakota State University were conducted to assess aesthetic appeal of the website and determine variations of health-related content. Participants were recruited with assistance from the American Indian Education and Cultural Center and through on-campus publicity. Outcome, Measures and AnalysisMultistep coding was used to evaluate focus group dialogue. Multistep coding was used to evaluate focus group dialogue. ResultsData reveals that AI public university students have specific aesthetic preferences. They relate more to non-stereotypical images of AI people versus people of other ethnicities. Depending on cultural tradition students vary in health-related factors of food choices, physical activities, time management, and stressors. Data reveals that AI public university students have specific aesthetic preferences. They relate more to non-stereotypical images of AI people versus people of other ethnicities. Depending on cultural tradition students vary in health-related factors of food choices, physical activities, time management, and stressors. Conclusions and ImplicationsSpecific and culturally-relevant psychographic information of AI college students is needed to create effective weight maintenance tools and to prevent stereotypical content. Specific and culturally-relevant psychographic information of AI college students is needed to create effective weight maintenance tools and to prevent stereotypical content.