Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Availability in Hispanic Head Start Families with Preschool-aged Children Living in an Urban Midwestern Area

Abstract 

Objective

Determine relationships between self-efficacy, decisional balance, and processes of change and Stages of Change (SOC) related to fruit and vegetable (FV) availability among Hispanic Head Start parents.

Design

A 2-phase descriptive study with mixed methodology.

Setting

Two Head Start sites in a city in the midwestern United States.

Participants

Convenience sample of Hispanic Head Start parents/guardians recruited to complete a FV survey and focus groups.

Main Outcome Measures

Amount of FV served; distribution of participants between SOC; level of self-efficacy, decisional balance, and use of cognitive and behavioral processes.

Analysis

Analysis of variance was conducted using the SOC as the independent variable and Transtheoretical Model construct scales as dependent variables. Significance was set at P < .05. Focus groups were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

Of the 113 participants, 60% were in pre-action stages. Compared to those of parents in higher stages, intentions of parents in lower stages to serve more FV were impeded by cost and preparation time (P = .028). Focus groups confirmed low self-efficacy as the common barrier to serving more FV.

Conclusions and Implications

Nutrition education for low-income Hispanic parents should include components focused on increasing self-efficacy and minimizing perceived barriers; quick and tasty FV recipes; shopping for economical FV; and promoting parental role modeling.

Key Words: fruits, vegetables, Hispanic, children, Head Start