A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR ENHANCING BEHAVIORS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR COLLABORATIVE NUTRITION INTERVENTION RESERACH

Authors: STRICKLAND, E - USDA; Kramer, Tim; Bogle, Margaret; HYMAN, E - UNIV ARKANSAS, PINE BLUFF; MCGEE, B - SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; YADRICK, K - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; CASEY, P - ACHRI; SIMPSON, P - ACHRI - DAC; CHAMPAGNE, C - PENNINGTON BIOMED RES CTR; SANTELL, R - ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2003
Publication Date: 7/19/2003
Citation: STRICKLAND, E., KRAMER, T.R., BOGLE, M.L., HYMAN, E., MCGEE, B., YADRICK, K., CASEY, P., SIMPSON, P., CHAMPAGNE, C., SANTELL, R. A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR ENHANCING BEHAVIORS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR COLLABORATIVE NUTRITION INTERVENTION RESERACH. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Quebec, Canada. 2003. p. 67.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Purpose: To develop a model for building collaboration between rural communities and university scientists to affect nutritional and health behavioral changes. Background: Community participation is critical to the implementation of successful nutrition interventions. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an innovative process to involve communities as full partners with university scientists. It provides for community buy-in and empowerment, use of indigenous knowledge, university transfer of technical assistance, capacity building in both communities and universities, and sharing of resources, responsibilities, and authority. Methods: The Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) is a consortium that involves six universities (two each in AR, LA, and MS), USDA/ARS, and one community in each of the three states. The Delta NIRI consortium has developed a model for conducting nutrition intervention research, which targets the community and has a goal of sustainability after the research is completed. All partners participate as equal members and contribute to all phases of the research process. Results: Issues have been identified related to different levels of trust, cooperation, readiness, and participation within these rural communities and the universities. Our model shows how a nutrition intervention research plan is developed using community-based participatory research. Conclusions: Utilizing the CBPR process a model was developed with communities and universities that improved collaborative behavior of both entities.