Tashara M Leak1, Lisa Benavente2, L Suzanne Goodell3, Annie Lassiter3, Lorelei Jones2, Sarah Bowen4. 1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, MN; Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Electronic address: leakx011@umn.edu. 2. Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 3. Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 4. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify ways to effectively use social media to communicate nutrition-related information to low-income populations. METHODS: The authors conducted 4 focus groups with female Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program graduates who used social media at least twice a week (n = 26 total). Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify key themes. RESULTS: For participants, page content, page maintenance, and networking opportunities with others were important aspects of a nutrition education social media page. Trust emerged as a central theme, because participants expressed a need for reliable information from known, credible sources and safe places to share ideas. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Using social media to provide nutrition-related messages may be an effective way to encourage sustained positive behavior changes resulting from educational programming and to engage participants beyond class time. Establishing the trustworthiness of the social media site is essential to its use among low-income participants.
OBJECTIVE: To identify ways to effectively use social media to communicate nutrition-related information to low-income populations. METHODS: The authors conducted 4 focus groups with female Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program graduates who used social media at least twice a week (n = 26 total). Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify key themes. RESULTS: For participants, page content, page maintenance, and networking opportunities with others were important aspects of a nutrition education social media page. Trust emerged as a central theme, because participants expressed a need for reliable information from known, credible sources and safe places to share ideas. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Using social media to provide nutrition-related messages may be an effective way to encourage sustained positive behavior changes resulting from educational programming and to engage participants beyond class time. Establishing the trustworthiness of the social media site is essential to its use among low-income participants.
Authors: Isra Al-Dhahir; Thomas Reijnders; Jasper S Faber; Rita J van den Berg-Emons; Veronica R Janssen; Roderik A Kraaijenhagen; Valentijn T Visch; Niels H Chavannes; Andrea W M Evers Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2022-08-24 Impact factor: 7.076