| dc.contributor.author | Gregoire, Anne Rachel | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Obesity rates in low-income populations continue to rise. Several
federal nutrition programs have been established to increase the nutrition
knowledge of individuals in these populations and improve their overall health
through dietary change. However, there are unique challenges individuals must
overcome in order to participate in nutrition education.
Ill
Objective: The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to participating in
nutrition education classes, the preferred learning methods, and nutrition topics of
interest of Head Start parents.
Design: Surveys were distributed to Head Start parents in the Fargo, North
Dakota area during the Head Start fall picnic. Although 67 individuals completed
the survey, only 60 surveys met inclusion criteria for the current study. In order to
participate in the survey, individuals were required to be 18 years of age, be able
to read English, and have a child registered in the local Head Start program.
Surveys were analyzed using descriptive data, frequencies, means, and t-tests. A
significance level= 0.05 was used.
Results: Most of the participants indicated they were Caucasian/white (72.4%).
The top identified barriers to attending nutrition programs were childcare, time of
day classes are offered, day of week classes are offered, and arranging to come
to classes is too difficult. Not knowing about the classes was also a barrier to attending classes. Preferred learning methods included receiving recipes,
practicing cooking in a class, and watching videos. Saving money at the grocery
store, planning healthy meals, and maintaining a healthy weight were identified as
the top valued nutrition topics. Participants who had at least some college
education were more interested in computer and online programs compared to
respondents who had a high school education or less. Half of the respondents
indicated they would be interested in attending a class about nutrition and/or
cooking. Compared with participants with no interest in attending nutrition or
cooking classes, respondents who indicated an interested in attending classes
reported significantly higher barriers for transportation (p=0.003) and not knowing
about when the classes were offered (p=0.027). Differences between races were
also identified. Compared to Caucasian/white, lack of transportation was
significantly higher for other races (p=0.023). Compared to Caucasian/white,
learning one-on-one with an instructor was favored by other races (p=0.046).
Conclusions: Reducing barriers and increasing interest in nutrition may help
improve attendance and may further the effort to combat obesity rates in lowincome
populations. Preferred learning methods vary between groups and
individuals. Creative ways to reach this population using online, computer
programs, or videos may help educators focus their efforts to reach their target
audiences with varying needs and preferences. | en_US |
| dc.publisher | North Dakota State University | en_US |
| dc.rights | NDSU policy 190.6.2 | en_US |
| dc.title | Head Start Parents: Preferred Learning Methods, Nutrition Interests, and the Barriers to Participating in Nutrition Education Classes | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-08T20:59:41Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-08T20:59:41Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10365/33726 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Head Start programs -- Health aspects -- North Dakota -- Fargo. | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Nutrition -- Study and teaching (Preschool) -- North Dakota -- Fargo. | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Preschool children -- Nutrition -- North Dakota -- Fargo. | en_US |
| dc.rights.uri | https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf | en_US |
| ndsu.degree | Master of Science (MS) | en_US |
| ndsu.college | Human Sciences and Education | en_US |
| ndsu.department | Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences | en_US |
| ndsu.program | Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences | en_US |
| ndsu.advisor | Brunt, Ardith | |
