title: Evaluation of supplemental nutrition assistance program education: application of behavioral theory and survey validation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Application of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) evaluation and development and validation of an evaluation tool used to measure TTM constructs is described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were collected from parents of children receiving food at Summer Food Service Program sites prior to SNAP-Ed participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Item analysis of survey data (n = 149) suggests the survey is valid and reliable. Structural Equation Modeling confirmed the use of the TTM constructs in predicting SNAP-Ed participants' fruit and vegetable consumption. Perceived barriers (P = .04) and self-efficacy (P = .006) were associated with fruit and vegetable consumption, whereas perceived benefits were not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of theory and survey validation can enhance SNAP-Ed evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of Nutrition Risk Reduction, Division of Nutrition, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA. bwyker@health.nyc.gov
authors.forename: Brett A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wyker
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Danielle L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Quigley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011632:Public Assistance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014675:Vegetables