title: Nutrition educator adoption and implementation of an experiential foods curriculum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Describe changes in Nutrition Educator (NE) and Extension Agent (EA) motivation, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability over time after experiential food tasting curriculum training. Identify promoters of curriculum adoption, implementation, and future use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed methods design including surveys, lesson implementation reports, and interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Mexico limited-resource schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of New Mexico Extension NE (n = 42) and their EA supervisors (n = 21).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-hour curriculum training employing Social Cognitive Theory and Diffusion of Innovations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceived change in motivation, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability from post-training through 8-month post-training; promoters and challenges to curriculum adoption, implementation, and future use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed perceived behavior change over time. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. Qualitative responses were categorized by theme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gains in NE motivation, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability were sustained at 8 months post-training. High adoption/implementation rates (79%) were attributed to strong implementation expectations, observational learning, experiential training elements, and perceived curriculum compatibility. Environmental factors including time constraints, personnel turnover, and scheduling conflicts proved challenging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximizing curriculum simplicity and compatibility and incorporating behavioral capability, observational learning, and expectations into training support adoption and use. Adaptations and techniques to problem-solve challenges should be provided to new curricula implementers.
authors: Department of Health Professions, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO. Electronic address: diker@msudenver.edu.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Diker
authors: Leslie
authors: L
authors: Cunningham-Sabo
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Bachman
authors: Jane E
authors: JE
authors: Stacey
authors: Lynn M
authors: LM
authors: Walters
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Wells
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003479:Curriculum; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D011582:Psychological Theory; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Diffusion of Innovations; Social Cognitive Theory; experiential; nutrition curriculum; observational learning; self-efficacy