Assessment of the nutrition and physical activity education needs of low-income, rural mothers: can technology play a role?
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of low-income, rural mothers regarding their need for nutrition and physical activity education and the role of technology in addressing those needs. Quantitative and qualitative research was combined to examine the nature and scope of the issues faced by this target population. Women who were currently receiving food stamps and had children in nursery school to eighth grade were recruited through a state database to participate in a telephone survey (N = 146) and focus groups (N = 56). Low-income, rural mothers were aware of and practiced many health behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity, but they faced additional barriers due to their income level, rural place of residence, and having children. They reported controlling the fat content in the food they cooked and integrating fruits and vegetables but showed less interest in increasing fiber consumption. They reported knowing little about physical activity recommendations, and their reported activity patterns were likely inflated because of seeing housework and child care as exercise. To stretch their food budget, the majority reported practicing typical shopping and budgeting skills, and many reported skills particularly useful in rural areas: hunting, fishing, and canning. Over two-thirds of the survey respondents reported computer access and previous Internet use, and most of those not yet online intended to use the Internet in the future. Those working in rural communities need to consider technology as a way to reach traditionally underserved populations like low-income mothers.
Atkinson
Nancy L
NL
Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA. atkinson@umd.edu
Billing
Amy S
AS
Desmond
Sharon M
SM
Gold
Robert S
RS
Tournas-Hardt
Amy
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008396:Maryland; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D009043:Motor Activity; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011204:Poverty Areas; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*
Can J Rural Med. 2006 Spring;11(2):111-6
16630437
JAMA. 2006 Apr 5;295(13):1549-55
16595758
J Am Diet Assoc. 2002 Nov;102(11):1621-30
12449285
J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 1999 Dec;8(10):1323-36
10643841
Diabetes Care. 1994 Aug;17(8):869-73
7956633
Diabetes Educ. 2003 Jan-Feb;29(1):116-27
12632690
Ethn Dis. 2004 Summer;14 (3 Suppl 1):S27-37
15682769
Patient Educ Couns. 2006 May;61(2):191-9
15905066
J Nutr Elder. 2003;23(2):77-91
14714682
Adolescence. 2006 Spring;41(161):75-89
16689442
South Med J. 2004 Jun;97(6):560-5
15255422
Women Health. 2002;36(2):17-28
12487138
J Community Health. 1998 Aug;23 (4):301-16
9693987
Fam Community Health. 2006 Jan-Mar;29(1):17-27
16340675