Karen Barale

Methodology for Developing a New EFNEP Food and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire.

Objective: Research methods are described for developing a food and physical activity behaviors questionnaire for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), a US Department of Agriculture nutrition education program serving low‐income families. Design: Mixed‐methods observational study. The questionnaire will include 5 domains: (1) diet quality, (2) physical activity, (3) food safety, (4) food security, and (5) food resource management. A 5‐stage process will be used to assess the questionnaires test‐retest reliability and content, face, and construct validity. Setting: Research teams across the US will coordinate questionnaire development and testing nationally. Participants: Convenience samples of low‐income EFNEP, or EFNEP‐eligible, adult participants across the US. Interventions: A 5‐stage process: (1) prioritize domain concepts to evaluate (2) question generation and content analysis panel, (3) question pretesting using cognitive interviews, (4) test‐retest reliability assessment, and (5) construct validity testing. Main Outcome Measure: A nationally tested valid and reliable food and physical activity behaviors questionnaire for low‐income adults to evaluate EFNEPs effectiveness. Analysis: Cognitive interviews will be summarized to identify themes and dominant trends. Paired t tests (P ≤ .05) and Spearman and intra‐class correlation coefficients (r > .5) will be conducted to assess reliability. Construct validity will be assessed using Wilcoxon t test (P ≤ .05), Spearman correlations, and Bland‐Altman plots.

The carry-over effects of school gardens on fruit and vegetable availability at home: A randomized controlled trial with low-income elementary schools

This group-randomized controlled trial examines the effects of a school garden intervention on availability of fruits and vegetables (FV) in elementary school childrens homes. Within each region, low income U.S. schools in Arkansas, Iowa, New York, and Washington State were randomly assigned to intervention group (n = 24) or waitlist control group (n = 22). Children were in grades 2, 4, and 5 at baseline (n = 2768). The garden intervention consisted of both raised-bed garden kits and a series of grade-appropriate lessons. FV availability at home was measured with a modified version of the GEMS FJV Availability Questionnaire. The instrument was administered at baseline (Fall 2011) and throughout the intervention (Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013). Analyses were completed using general linear mixed models. The garden intervention led to an overall increase in availability of low-fat vegetables at home. Among younger children (2nd grade at baseline), the garden intervention led to greater home availability of vegetables, especially, low-fat vegetables. Moreover, for the younger group, garden intervention fidelity (GIF) or robustness predicted home availability of fruit, vegetables, and low-fat vegetables. School gardens have potential to affect FV availability in the home environment.

Low-income respondents’ perceptions about food retail and food pantry shopping environments

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional self-administered survey was conducted with adult participants from Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program class series (n = 194) to assess respondents’ perceptions about their primary grocery store and food pantry environments that are potentially influential in obtaining fruits and vegetables (F&V). Survey design followed the Model of Community Nutrition Environments. Perceived availability, access, and affordability of F&V in the retail environment were assessed including factors potentially influencing greater purchase of F&V. The survey sample included respondents from diverse ethnic/racial groups. Findings provide guidance to retail and food pantry partners for promoting healthier choices in ways meaningful to respondents.

Audience-Driven Curriculum Design to Enhance Youth and Parent Media Skills and Food Behaviors: Year 2 of 5

Media Skills and Food Behaviors: Year 2 of 5 Erica Weintraub Austin1, Jill Armstrong Shultz2, Mary Katherine Deen3, Marilyn Cohen4, Louise Parker5, Shirley Calodich6, Thomas Power5, Dori Babcock6*, Karen Barale2*, Brian Brandt3*, Sandra Brown2*, Michelle Lain3*, Terry Perry2*, Christine Price2*, Diane Russo3*, Gary Varella3*, Margaret Viebrock2*, Barbara K. Johnson4, Michelle Kistler1, Davi Kallman1