Identifier

etd-03302004-105649

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Ecology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The Louisiana Family Nutrition Program (FNP) reaches up to 120,000 food-stamp recipients and other low SES individuals per year through direct and indirect nutrition education methods. To be effective in eliciting behavior change, a nutrition education program must be developed to be consistent with the needs, motivations, and concerns of the target audience; therefore, it is important that the needs, motivations, and concerns are being met by FNP. The purpose of this study was to determine, through the use of focus group discussions (FGD), whether nutrition education needs of FNP participants are being satisfied by the program. Nutrition education needs cover a broad scope of concerns, including: knowledge of the program, time and place of nutrition education sessions, nutrition education materials, and delivery methods. Five FGD were conducted with 34 FNP participants in five FNP parishes. The PRECEDE/PROCEED theoretical model was used to classify information from FGD into predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors. Results suggested that participants learned of FNP through the nutrition educator or community agencies such as Head Start and Office of Family Support. Although all participants were knowledgeable about the program itself, some indicated that lack of knowledge about meeting times and locations of nutrition education sessions was a barrier to participation. Other barriers to participation in FNP were minimal, but did include lack of transportation, lack of childcare, lack of interest, and time nutrition sessions were held. Participants’ families and personal barriers to dietary change influenced use of information in FNP. Program characteristics including, program availability, nutrition information, and delivery methods were enablers to FNP participation. Preferred delivery methods of nutrition education included a variety of methods. Information obtained from this study is used to provide recommendations for FNP.

Date

2004

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Carol O'Neil

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1570

Download

Included in

Human Ecology Commons

Share

COinS