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Title: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Fresh Start randomized controlled trial: Baseline participant characteristics and reliability of measures

Author
item DI NOIA, JENNIFER - WILLIAM PATTERSON UNIVERSITY
item MONICA, DOROTHY - ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH CENTER
item GRAY, HEEWON - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - NEW YORK
item CULLEN, KAREN - CHILDREN'S NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/2016
Publication Date: 9/20/2016
Citation: Di Noia, J., Monica, D., Gray, H.L., Cullen, K.W. 2016. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Fresh Start randomized controlled trial: Baseline participant characteristics and reliability of measures. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.07.020.

Interpretive Summary: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fresh Start (WFS) is a randomized controlled trial of nutrition education to promote farmers' market fruit and vegetable (F/V) purchases and consumption among women enrolled in WIC. This paper describes the baseline characteristics (demographics and F/V intake) of WFS participants and examines the baseline reliability of study measures. Seven hundred forty-four women served by a New Jersey-based WIC agency completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics; farmers' market-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; and reported F/V intake. Participants were on average 29 years old, 59% were Hispanic, 62% were unemployed and 55% were food insecure. WFS participants consumed more fruit (2.7 cups/day) but less vegetables (1.4 cups/day) than did women nationwide (1.1 and 1.4 cups/day, respectively. Although participants consumed recommended amounts of fruit, their vegetable intake was below recommended levels. All but two of the measures developed for the study had reliability coefficients at or above 0.60. Educational programs to improve participants' vegetable intake are needed.

Technical Abstract: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fresh Start (WFS) is a randomized controlled trial of nutrition education to promote farmers' market fruit and vegetable (F/V) purchases and consumption among women enrolled in WIC. Our objectives were to describe the baseline characteristics (demographics and F/V intake [including F/V juice]) of WFS participants, compare the characteristics with those of WIC participants in New Jersey and nationwide, and examine the baseline reliability of study measures. A cross-sectional design was used. Seven hundred forty-four women served by a New Jersey-based WIC agency located in a densely populated, urban area participated. Our main outcome measures were demographic characteristics; newly developed measures of farmers' market-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; and validated measures of F/V intake. Descriptive statistics to characterize the sample were used in our analyses, along with one-sample t and one-sample sign tests to compare the characteristics with reference values. For dietary behaviors, comparisons were with state and national estimates of the frequency and quantity of F/V intake. Participants had a mean age of 28.9+/6.8 years and were predominantly Hispanic (59%), US-born (60%), never married (41%), unemployed (62%), receiving assistance other than WIC (70%), and food insecure (55%). Half reported a high school education or less. Higher proportions of WFS participants than WIC participants nationwide were represented among demographic groups at increased risk of inadequate F/V intake. WFS participants consumed more fruit (2.7 cups/day) but less vegetables (1.4 cups/day) than did women nationwide (1.1 and 1.4 cups/day, respectively; P<0.01). Although participants consumed recommended amounts of fruit, their vegetable intake was below recommended levels. All but two of the measures developed for the study had reliability coefficients at or above 0.60. Intervention is warranted to improve participants' vegetable intake. Registered dietitian nutritionists should be aware of F/V intake differences that may require differential intervention strategies.