Brandy Buro1, Abby Gold2, Dawn Contreras3, Ann L Keim4, Amy R Mobley5, Renee Oscarson6, Paula Peters7, Sandy Procter8, Carol Smathers. 1. Center for Family Development, University of Minnesota Extension, St Paul, MN. 2. Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Electronic address: abby.gold@ndsu.edu. 3. Health and Nutrition Institute, Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing, MI. 4. Family Living Programs, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, WI. 5. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. 6. Department of Counseling and Human Development, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. 7. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. 8. Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors using the Ecological Model of Childhood Overweight related to accessing nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities from the perspectives of rural parents of preschoolers. METHODS: A mixed-methods study using a quantitative survey (Active Where?) and qualitative interviews. Analyzed interview themes provided context to the survey results. The setting was Head Start centers, county human service offices, and Women, Infants, and Children Program sites in rural counties in the Midwest. Rural parents (n = 377) of preschoolers took part in the survey in 7 Midwestern states; 15 similar participants were interviewed from 1 of the states. Transcribed interviews were coded. Frequencies and chi-square tests were computed; significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The Active Where? survey and interviews revealed that close proximity to recreation spaces and traffic safety issues influenced physical activity. For food access, close proximity to full service grocery stores did not influence access to healthy foods because respondents traveled to urban communities to purchase healthy foods. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Public transportation solutions and enhanced neighborhood safety are potential community-wide obesity prevention strategies in rural communities. However, interventions should be tailored to the community's stage of readiness. Strong social networks should be considered an asset for community change in these regions.
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors using the Ecological Model of Childhood Overweight related to accessing nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities from the perspectives of rural parents of preschoolers. METHODS: A mixed-methods study using a quantitative survey (Active Where?) and qualitative interviews. Analyzed interview themes provided context to the survey results. The setting was Head Start centers, county human service offices, and Women, Infants, and Children Program sites in rural counties in the Midwest. Rural parents (n = 377) of preschoolers took part in the survey in 7 Midwestern states; 15 similar participants were interviewed from 1 of the states. Transcribed interviews were coded. Frequencies and chi-square tests were computed; significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The Active Where? survey and interviews revealed that close proximity to recreation spaces and traffic safety issues influenced physical activity. For food access, close proximity to full service grocery stores did not influence access to healthy foods because respondents traveled to urban communities to purchase healthy foods. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Public transportation solutions and enhanced neighborhood safety are potential community-wide obesity prevention strategies in rural communities. However, interventions should be tailored to the community's stage of readiness. Strong social networks should be considered an asset for community change in these regions.
Authors: Anna M Gorczyca; Richard A Washburn; Lauren Ptomey; Matthew S Mayo; Debra K Sullivan; Cheryl A Gibson; Robert Lee; Sarah Stolte; Joseph E Donnelly Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2018-02-15 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Dawn A Contreras; Tiffany L Martoccio; Holly E Brophy-Herb; Mildred Horodynski; Karen E Peterson; Alison L Miller; Neda Senehi; Julie Sturza; Niko Kaciroti; Julie C Lumeng Journal: J Public Health (Oxf) Date: 2021-12-10 Impact factor: 2.341