Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296162
Title: Using focus groups to inform an intervention to promote adoption of the DGA among African American children in the Lower Mississippi Delta

Author
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - Southern University And A & M College
item RICHARDSON, VALERIE - Southern University And A & M College
item JOHNSON, GLENDA - Southern University And A & M College
item JOHNSON, CRYSTAL - Southern University And A & M College

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2013
Publication Date: 3/28/2013
Citation: McGee, B.B., Richardson, V., Johnson, G., Johnson, C. 2013. Using focus groups to inform an intervention to promote adoption of the DGA among African American children in the Lower Mississippi Delta [abstract]. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference. 27:1063.3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Childhood obesity is a major public health concern and contributes to the associated risks for chronic diseases. There is a need to identify effective strategies to enhance adherence to the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Physical Activity guidelines to prevent childhood obesity, especially for African American children. Intervening early may reduce the consequences of obesity and promote adoption of healthy behaviors before development of obesogenic lifestyle behaviors. Focus group results guided the planning of a culturally specific intervention to accompany a parental childhood obesity prevention intervention for 8- to 13-year-old children. Six children focus group sessions were conducted in two Louisiana parishes. Questions were designed to identify children's perceptions of factors influencing eating and physical activity behavior and recommendations for planning a healthy eating and physical activity program. Focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify recurring trends and patterns among focus groups. Major themes that emerged included cultural influences on food habits and physical activity, body size perceptions, and curriculum content recommendations. Focus group discussion results were used to culturally tailor the intervention to promote adoption of the DGA.