ERIC Number: EJ869616
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1499-4046
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Meaningful Messages: Adults in the Lower Mississippi Delta Provide Cultural Insight into Strategies for Promoting the MyPyramid
Zoellner, Jamie; Bounds, Wendy; Connell, Carol; Yadrick, Kathy; Crook, LaShaundrea
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, v42 n1 p41-50 Jan-Feb 2010
Objective: To explore cultural perceptions of the MyPyramid key messages and identify factors that may impact adoption of these recommendations. Methods: Systematic content analysis of transcripts from in-depth, structured interviews with 23 adults, primarily African American females, residing in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Results: When asked to identify good reasons to follow the MyPyramid key messages, nonspecific references to improved health were most prevalent (n = 130); however, participants also acknowledged the importance of getting vitamins and nutrients (n = 81), and the impact food choices have on health conditions (n = 77) and organ systems (n = 65). Individual-level factors (n = 211), such as dislike for food items and tradition or customs, far outnumbered environmental-level factors (n = 48), such as cost and availability, as perceived reasons preventing community members from adhering to the key messages. The most frequently mentioned suggestion for helping community members eat according to the MyPyramid were to raise awareness (n = 93), provide information (n = 65), and improve the taste of or provide opportunity to taste (n = 49). Conclusions and Implications: This study captured participants' cultural perspectives of the MyPyramid key messages. Results indicate that both social marketing campaigns and intervention efforts focused on individual-level factors are needed to promote the MyPyramid in this disadvantaged Delta region. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Health, Food, Interviews, Marketing, Content Analysis, Adults, Nutrition Instruction, Nutrition, African Americans, Health Behavior, Eating Habits, Cultural Traits, Costs, Intervention, Consciousness Raising, Health Education, Disadvantaged
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Mississippi
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A