Qualitative research: what do we know about teaching good nutritional habits?

Drawing from a number of qualitative studies, a set of basic principles is presented for development of sound, effective nutrition education material. First, research is needed each and every time a new intervention or materials development project is initiated. This research should include formative, process, and outcome testing. Second, reality checks are needed. Programs and materials need to be tested in the settings and for the purpose for which they are intended. Third, messages need to be tailored to the audience. Certain concepts, such as the Dietary Guidelines, may be more or less universal, but the actual educational process and materials need to be tailored to specific target groups. Generic messages do not work. Sound scientific methodology is readily available as well as empirical principles to guide in the development and testing of nutrition education programs and materials, but each new intervention must be tested because there is always a creative element involved. Research will be ineffective, however, unless the right questions are asked and the right people (usually requiring a multidisciplinary team) are used to find the answer.