The development of a cookbook as a nutrition promotion resource

Abstract

Dietary habits are at the centre of the obesity epidemic with lower socio-economic status communities typically having poorer diets, resulting in poorer health outcomes and chronic disease. As part of a comprehensive approach, there is a need for health and nutrition education resources to be better matched with the needs and interests of specific populations to improve resource efficacy. This study applied the concept of ‘usability’ to guide the development of a cookbook as a nutrition resource specifically tailored to the needs and requirements of women from the lower income community of Logan, Queensland. Twenty-one participants were recruited through two local women's health and support centres in Logan. Four focus groups were held to explore women's views about cookbook usability with data thematically analysed in categories of ease of use, form and fit. The participants identified simple instructions, supporting images, bright colours and easy opening features to enhance cookbook usability. Including food-related nutrition information at the beginning of the cookbook and alongside recipes was recognised as a practical means to shape and improve nutrition knowledge. Findings of this resource usability study could be applied in the development of further nutrition and health promotion resources, increasing the successful targeting of health and nutrition behaviours within this particular group or other identified populations. Too often health promotion resources are not adequately matched to population needs and interests. This study presents usability as a means to develop more effective, population-targeted nutrition and health promotion resources.