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Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: Health and nutrition knowledge: A qualitative study with US adolescents

Author
item LEME, ANA - Universidade De Sao Paulo
item FISBERG, REGINA - Universidade De Sao Paulo
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BARANOWSKI, TOM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item PHILIPPI, SONIA - Universidade De Sao Paulo
item CALLENDER, CHISHINGA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item KASAM, ANNIE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2020
Publication Date: 6/18/2020
Citation: Leme, A.C., Fisberg, R.M., Nicklas, T., Baranowski, T., Philippi, S., Callender, C., Kasam, A., Thompson, D.J. 2020. Health and nutrition knowledge: A qualitative study with US adolescents [abstract]. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Annual Conference (Virtual). June 15-25, 2020. Poster Presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Public health food guidance could help shape adolescent dietary behaviors. However, food and nutrition-related terms are likely inconsistently defined and understood among adolescents. Investigating these concepts among adolescents may elucidate how best to communicate them. Our objective was to assess how adolescents define terms commonly used in the health and nutrition field. This was a qualitative study conducted with 21 adolescents (12.05+/-1.32 years old, 57.1% male) from Houston, USA. Telephone interviews were conducted in a private office. Semi-structured questions and prompts were developed by the research team and content was informed by a literature review and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Script questions were pre-tested with five staff members from the research center and revisions were made as necessary. The script was divided into: demographics, terms, description of someone (un)healthy, and ratings. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Hybrid thematic analysis was used to code and analyze data by three independent trained qualitative researchers. Adolescents defined "healthy" in terms of wellness-type behaviors related to diet, physical activity, and body weight. Adolescents' ratings of their personal health varied from "not healthy or unhealthy" to "healthy" just based on their diet and physical activity behaviors. Examples of healthy individuals were specific persons (e.g., parents) or someone engaged in a particular profession (e.g., athlete) or being active. Examples of unhealthy individuals included specific persons (e.g., siblings) or someone engaged in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g., unhealthy diet and physical activity). Most adolescents reported that healthy individuals should eat a healthy diet and be active. Few mentioned adequate sleep or weight status. Clear descriptions for healthy and unhealthy foods were provided, while energy-dense, nutrient-dense, and processed foods adolescents struggled to define. Fast-foods and junk-foods were identified with non-health benefits, except for being convenient and tasty. Natural and organic foods were used as interchangeable terms with health benefits. Adolescents have a limited understanding of common health and nutrition-related terms. National dietary guidelines should use terms that are easily understood by adolescents. More comprehensive research is needed in this regard.