Tamar Kafka1, Christina Economos, Sara Folta, Jennifer Sacheck. 1. The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, The John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. tkafka@gmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore children's motivations for and perceived benefits and barriers to nutrition research participation. To explore children's perspectives on how to improve the research experience. DESIGN: Seven focus group sessions were conducted during March 2008 with research participants from a trial that examined the effects of pre-exercise snacks on physical activity and exercise stress in children. The Health Belief Model for Behavior Change served as the framework for understanding perceived benefits and barriers to research participation and cues to action to help children's readiness for future research participation. SETTING: Indoor sports center in Acton, Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five children, 15 males and 20 females, aged 7-10 years. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Children's participation in nutrition research. ANALYSIS: Transcripts were reviewed, coded, and sorted according to recurring trends and patterns using NVIVO software. RESULTS: Participants were overwhelmingly motivated to participate in research because of financial incentives. The biggest barrier to participation was anxiety over finger pricks. Children suggested demonstrating different aspects of data collection during recruitment to reduce trepidation and using distraction techniques to improve the experience during anxiety-provoking data collection. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Themes for benefits and barriers to research participation were identified. Data also provide a guide to promote readiness and to improve the research experience for children in future nutrition trials.
OBJECTIVE: To explore children's motivations for and perceived benefits and barriers to nutrition research participation. To explore children's perspectives on how to improve the research experience. DESIGN: Seven focus group sessions were conducted during March 2008 with research participants from a trial that examined the effects of pre-exercise snacks on physical activity and exercise stress in children. The Health Belief Model for Behavior Change served as the framework for understanding perceived benefits and barriers to research participation and cues to action to help children's readiness for future research participation. SETTING: Indoor sports center in Acton, Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five children, 15 males and 20 females, aged 7-10 years. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Children's participation in nutrition research. ANALYSIS: Transcripts were reviewed, coded, and sorted according to recurring trends and patterns using NVIVO software. RESULTS:Participants were overwhelmingly motivated to participate in research because of financial incentives. The biggest barrier to participation was anxiety over finger pricks. Children suggested demonstrating different aspects of data collection during recruitment to reduce trepidation and using distraction techniques to improve the experience during anxiety-provoking data collection. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Themes for benefits and barriers to research participation were identified. Data also provide a guide to promote readiness and to improve the research experience for children in future nutrition trials.
Authors: Jennifer M Sacheck; Maria I Van Rompay; Elizabeth M Olson; Virginia R Chomitz; Elizabeth Goodman; Catherine M Gordon; Misha Eliasziw; Michael F Holick; Christina D Economos Journal: Clin Trials Date: 2014-10-27 Impact factor: 2.486
Authors: Sara E Watson; Paul Smith; Jessica Snowden; Vida Vaughn; Lesley Cottrell; Christi A Madden; Alberta S Kong; Russell McCulloh; Crystal Stack Lim; Megan Bledsoe; Karen Kowal; Mary McNally; Lisa Knight; Kelly Cowan; Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez Journal: Clin Transl Sci Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 4.438