Using focus groups to inform an intervention to promote adoption of the DGA among African American children in the Lower Mississippi Delta

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern and the associated risks for chronic diseases. There is a need to identify effective strategies to enhance adherence to the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the CDC Physical Activity guidelines to prevent childhood obesity, especially for African American children. Intervening early may reduce the consequences of obesity and promote adoption of healthy behaviors before development of obesogenic lifestyle behaviors. Focus group results guided the planning of a culturally‐specific intervention to accompany a parental childhood obesity prevention intervention for eight to 13 year old children. Six children focus group sessions were conducted in two Louisiana parishes. Questions were designed to identify children's perceptions of factors influencing eating and physical activity behavior and recommendations for planning a healthy eating and physical activity program. Focus groups discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify recurring trends and patterns among focus groups. Major themes that emerged included cultural influences on food habits and physical activity, body size perceptions, and curriculum content recommendations. Focus group discussion results were used to culturally tailor the intervention to promote adoption of the DGA.Grant Funding Source: USDA/ARS project #58–6251‐8–041