The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70663

Irene Tessaro, DrPH¹, Sheila Rye, MS¹, Carol Mangone, PhD, CHES¹, Susan McCrone, PhD¹, Nan Leslie, PhD², Lindsey Parker, MS¹, and Brian Guice, BS¹. (1) Center for Healthy Communities, West Virginia University, 3040 University Avenue, Room 3341, PO Box 6275, Morgantown, WV 26506, (304)293-5582, itessaro@hsc.wvu.edu, (2) School of Nursing, West Virginia University, 6515 Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506

New technologies offer new avenues for reaching individuals who may have difficulty seeking information through the traditional means. Cookin’ Up Health is a culturally targeted and individualized tailored nutrition intervention using a computer-based interactive format appropriate for a low-income, low literate, rural population of women, many of whom have limited access to the “digital society.” By providing this nutrition program through an interactive modality, the users not only gain knowledge and skills to prepare healthy foods appropriate for their culture through active learning, but also the opportunity to engage in and build confidence in using information technology. The program addresses several special characteristics of the focus audience, including poor dietary habits specifically related to food selection and preparation, strong regional identification, and low educational attainment. Using a cooking show theme, the program engages the user in a contextually and visually engaging program, demonstrating step-by-step meal preparation and emphasizing healthy selection and portion control. The program is not dependent on the user’s reading skills and the recipe and cooking information are tailored to each woman’s needs. The objectives of the program are to increase vegetable and fruit intake and decrease total dietary fat intake. Prior to developing the program, focus group interviews were conducted, and a Community Advisory Group convened, in each of two rural communities in West Virginia, representing northern and southern areas of the state to guide the development of the intervention. This presentation describes how this formative research was instrumental in the content and design of Cookin’Up Health.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Describe how formative research guided the content of this intervention
• 2.Articulate steps taken to design an ehealth program

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.