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Lavelle F, McKernan C, Shrewsbury V, Wolfson JA, Taylor RM, Duncanson K, Martins CA, Elliott C, Collins CE. An online qualitative study exploring wants and needs for a cooking programme during pregnancy in the UK and Ireland. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024. [PMID: 38606553 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal maternal nutrition is associated with better pregnancy and infant outcomes. Culinary nutrition programmes have potential to improve diet quality during pregnancy. Therefore, this research aimed to understand the experiences of cooking and the wants and needs of pregnant women regarding a cooking and food skills programme in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI). METHODS Online focus group discussions with pregnant women and those who had experienced a pregnancy in the UK or ROI were conducted between February and April 2022. Two researchers conducted a thematic analysis. Seven focus groups with ROI participants (n = 24) and six with UK participants (n = 28) were completed. RESULTS Five themes were generated. These were (1) cooking during pregnancy: barriers, motivators and solutions; (2) food safety, stress and guilt; (3) need for cooking and food skills programmes and desired content; (4) programme structure; (5) barriers and facilitators to programme participation. Overall, there was support for a programme focusing on broad food skills, including planning, food storage, using leftovers and to manage pregnancy-specific physiological symptoms such as food aversions. Participants emphasised the importance of inclusivity for a diverse range of people and lifestyles for programme design and content. CONCLUSIONS Current findings support the use of digital technologies for culinary nutrition interventions, potentially combined with in-person sessions using a hybrid structure to enable the development of a support network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Lavelle
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Claire McKernan
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Vanessa Shrewsbury
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julia A Wolfson
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rachael M Taylor
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kerith Duncanson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carla A Martins
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Christopher Elliott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Clare E Collins
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
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Garcia JM, Shurack R, Leahy N, Brazendale K, Lee E, Lawrence S. Feasibility of a Remote-based Nutrition Education and Culinary Skills Program for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Nutr Educ Behav 2023; 55:215-223. [PMID: 36702718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of a remote-based nutrition education and culinary skills program for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Thirteen young adults with ASD (26.6 ± 4.4 years; 77% male) participated in a remote-based nutrition program twice a week over 12 weeks. Principles of Social Cognitive Theory were used to develop the curriculum, which focused on nutrition education and meal preparation. Feasibility was assessed through attendance records, retention rates, duration/frequency of participant engagement, session notes, and participant interviews. RESULTS The program had a 13% refusal rate and a 7% attrition rate. Participants had a session attendance rate of 83%. Session notes revealed that the remote format offered several methods of participant communication and captured evidence of family support. Interview themes included increased nutrition-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The remote-based nutrition program met feasibility benchmarks for adherence and retention and was well-accepted by participants. A remote-based format for nutrition interventions can reach a wider range of young adults with ASD; however, input from the target population should be considered in the development of the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette M Garcia
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
| | - Riley Shurack
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nicholas Leahy
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Keith Brazendale
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Eunkyung Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Shawn Lawrence
- School of Social Work, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
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Buro AW, Gray HL, Kirby RS, Marshall J, Rolle L, Holloway J. Parent and Adolescent Attitudes Toward a Virtual Nutrition Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Adv Neurodev Disord 2023; 7:94-106. [PMID: 36160309 PMCID: PMC9483453 DOI: 10.1007/s41252-022-00286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This qualitative study examined acceptability, perceived benefits, and unintended consequences of a virtual implementation of an 8-week theory-driven nutrition intervention (BALANCE) for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Twenty-one parent interviews and six adolescent focus groups or interviews (n = 12; group size ranged 1-5) were conducted. Data were collected virtually via Microsoft Teams and analyzed for a priori and emergent themes. RESULTS The intervention was generally acceptable. Adolescents and parents reported that they were comfortable with the virtual format and the interactive group setting. Parents of adolescents 15 years and older emphasized the importance of autonomy/independence. Participants reported changes in adolescents' psychosocial determinants of dietary intake, including knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as diet changes (e.g., self-regulation). CONCLUSIONS The virtual implementation of BALANCE was acceptable according to adolescents with ASD and their parents based on their reported perceptions and feelings about the intervention. The findings suggest that many adolescents with ASD may benefit from virtual group interventions. Quantitative research is needed to examine behavioral outcomes of the BALANCE intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acadia W. Buro
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, 4117 E Fowler Ave. , Tampa, FL 33617 USA
| | - Heewon L. Gray
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Russell S. Kirby
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Jennifer Marshall
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - LaShae Rolle
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Jamie Holloway
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
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Buro AW, Gray HL, Kirby RS, Marshall J, Strange M, Hasan S, Holloway J. Pilot Study of a Virtual Nutrition Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Nutr Educ Behav 2022; 54:853-862. [PMID: 36087955 PMCID: PMC10164280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the impact of a virtual nutrition education program, Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education (BALANCE), on dietary intake and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS A sample of AYA with ASD aged 12-21 years (n = 27; 6 groups of 2-7 adolescents) participated in BALANCE, a Social Cognitive Theory-based intervention, for eight 30-45-minute lessons. Outcomes were compared using a pre-post design and included dietary intake (assessed using a food frequency questionnaire) and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating (assessed by a validated survey). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared preintervention and postintervention medians with an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS Mean added sugar intake (P = 0.026) decreased, and behavioral strategies (P = 0.010), self-efficacy (P < 0.001), and outcome expectations (P = 0.009) improved. There was no difference in fruit or vegetable intake or other psychosocial determinants. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The BALANCE intervention may improve psychosocial determinants and dietary behaviors in AYA with ASD. Future virtual programs may incorporate more assistance and support to be accessible for AYA with ASD of varying severity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acadia W Buro
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.
| | - Heewon L Gray
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Russell S Kirby
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Mikaela Strange
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Syed Hasan
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Jamie Holloway
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
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