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Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to identify personal, behavioral, and environmental
factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption among 10- to 13-year-old low-income
black American youth in the lower Mississippi Delta region. Social Cognitive Theory,
along with other theoretical constructs, guided focus group questions and analysis
Design
A qualitative study using focus group methodology.
Setting
Enrichment program of a sports summer camp for low-income youth.
Participants
Forty-two adolescents (21 female, 21 male) participated in 6 focus groups.
Main Outcome Measures
Personal, behavioral, and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Analysis
Content analysis methods were used by 3 independent reviewers to identify themes within
the focus group transcripts. Themes were summarized and then categorized into the
3 domains of Social Cognitive Theory.
Results
The major themes were taste, availability, extended family influence, visual proof
of the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, and the need for gender-specific
behavioral skills.
Conclusions and Implications
This formative research will-aid in the development of a culturally relevant nutrition
intervention for low-income black American adolescents in the lower Mississippi Delta
region. The results indicate that this group is more likely to respond to interventions
that use role models who can provide proof that fruit and vegetable consumption is
related to improved health.
Key Words
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Article info
Footnotes
Funding for this research was provided by Agricultural Research Service/US Drpartment of Agriculture project number 6251-530000-0020-00D.
Work was completed at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Society for Nutrition Education. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
