We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know: Using Focus Groups to Tailor Nutrition Education in the Abriendo Caminos Community Intervention

Abstract

ObjectiveTo improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data.DescriptionAC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators.EvaluationOver 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet.Conclusions and ImplicationsFocus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites.FundingUSDA Grant #2015-68001-23248 ObjectiveTo improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data. To improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data. DescriptionAC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators. AC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators. EvaluationOver 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet. Over 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet. Conclusions and ImplicationsFocus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites. Focus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites.