Process evaluation results from the Eating for a Healthy Life study.
OBJECTIVE
Conduct a process evaluation of a low-fat, high-fruit/vegetable dietary intervention in religious organizations (ROs). The purpose of this process evaluation was to explore differences in healthy eating activities between the intervention and delayed control ROs and among the intervention ROs to identify the intervention activities most associated with dietary change.


METHODS
Process data were collected via phone surveys and participation logs. A 12-month follow-up phone survey was conducted with an RO representative from intervention and delayed control ROs. The survey asked about healthy eating activities. Eating for a Healthy Life staff maintained participation logs of intervention RO participation in intervention activities: advisory board meetings, volunteer activities, healthy eating sessions, social events, dietary change mailings, print advertisements, and motivational messages. We used a stepwise regression model to determine which intervention activities were associated with changes in fat- and fiber-related dietary behaviors.


RESULTS
RO member participation in advisory board meetings, social activities, and healthy eating sessions were associated with healthier fat- and fiber-related dietary behaviors. Greater RO attendance at advisory board meetings and greater numbers of healthy eating sessions at the RO were associated with decreased fat-related dietary behaviors (p < or = .05). Member participation in social activities was associated with more favorable fat, fruit, and vegetable intake.


CONCLUSIONS
We successfully delivered an increased number of healthy activities at the intervention ROs and improved dietary-related behaviors.
Hart
Alton
A
Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Bowen
Deborah J
DJ
Christensen
Catherine L
CL
Mafune
Riki
R
Campbell
Marci K
MK
Saleeba
Ashley
A
Kuniyuki
Alan
A
Beresford
Shirley A A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D040241:Social Marketing; D055815:Young Adult