1. Conclusions/Implications AAFCS 108th Annual Conference & Expo
A CASE STUDY APPROACH TO ASSESS THE DIETARY INTAKE OF RURAL AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
*Meeshay Williams-Wheeler, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences,
Gabrielle N. Jackson, Food and Nutritional Sciences Undergraduate, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Sharon Warren Cook, PhD, Executive Director, Center for Outreach in Alzheimer's, Aging and Community Health, Associate Professor of Social Work
Carinthia A. Cherry, PhD, Nutrition Specialist NCA&TSU Cooperative Extension Program
Valerie L. Giddings, PhD., Interim Associate Dean Agricultural Research
Purpose/Rationale
Findings
Selected Quotes
This study utilized a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) model (Minkler and Wallerstein, 2008) to promote collaborative inquiry and to provide strategies for contextualizing intervention of health and well-being of African Americans in a county with the 4th highest obesity rate in the state. The CBPR approach allowed community participation in addressing socio-cultural factors which influence healthy food consumption. One form of participation involved in maintaining food intake for two weeks. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to analyze participants’ perceptions of eating habits and water consumption via a two-week diary.
I was sick I drank more later on that day.
I will drink more later because I love water.
Still feeling a little down. Things will be better, I will drink more water.
Felt very bad day at work, I had no appetite.
More water more baked foods more vegetables.
Most participants felt “OK” regarding their eating habits and water consumption.
Using a case study approach provided a detailed contextual analyses of food consumption. Overall, participants felt “OK” regarding dietary habits, despite living in limited resourced communities. However, social/emotional factors played a role in dietary consumption. The study has practical implications for researchers, health educators and extension agents who can use similar strategies to empower and improve the health and well-being of African Americans living in rural communities.
Conclusions/Implications
On average participants drank oz. glasses of water.
Methods
Nutritional/behavioral intervention strategies used in the study included workshops, cooking demonstrations, and nutrition education. Following the interventions, 10 participants recorded their food intake for two weeks. Each participant was given directions and provided a sample of how to complete the food diary. Participants recorded breakfast, lunch, dinner meals, any snacks as well as water consumption.
Reference
Minkler, M., Wallerstein, N. (editors) (2008). Community-based Participatory Research for Health. 2nd edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 508. .
AAFCS 108th Annual Conference & Expo
June 22-25, 2016
Belleavue, Washington