Abstract
Objective
To develop and apply a framework exploring the extent of involvement in promoting
environmental changes to prevent obesity by a group of nutrition educators (NE).
Design
Cross-sectional, mixed methods: qualitative interviews informed framework development;
survey applied framework to describe NE's involvement in environmental changes.
Setting
Cooperative Extension in New York State.Participants: Interviewees (n = 7) selected
to vary in environmental change activities and rural/urban location. Survey response
rate was 100% (n = 58).
Phenomenon of Interest/Variables Measured
Dimensions and degree of NE's involvement in promoting environmental change.
Analysis
Thematic analysis of qualitative data, triangulated with descriptive analyses of NE's
performance of tasks in various settings.
Results
NE's promotion of environmental changes was characterized using framework based on
settings and tasks, dimensions that emerged from qualitative analysis. NE's actions varied across these
dimensions and ranged from low to high intensity of collaboration and leadership for
environmental change. Most NE surveyed reported actions limited to providing information
and recommendations on healthy eating and physical activity. Few reported intensive
engagement in developing, implementing, and evaluating plans to change environments
for obesity prevention.
Conclusions and Implications
Framework identifies the levels of engagement in promoting environmental changes and
supports future research and practice of community nutrition professionals by providing
a roadmap for assessing their involvement on multiple levels to prevent obesity.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 23, 2014
Accepted:
May 22,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
