Attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral control factors influencing participation in a cooking skills program in rural Central Appalachia.
A focus group session, using the Theory of Planned Behavior to guide questions and discussion, was conducted at midpoint of a 12-month cooking skills program in a rural Appalachian food desert. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control beliefs that influenced participation in these classes. Participants viewed the classes as opportunities for social interaction and to have new experiences. Subjective norms were influenced by family members and traditional cooking. Perceived behavioral control was influenced by the opportunity to try new foods without concern of food waste, acquisition of the knowledge to introduce healthy foods into family meals and enhanced food preparation skills. During the evaluation, a strong sense of participant appreciation of researcher presence was discovered. This unexpected positive component of the program will be promoted using motivational interviewing techniques to enhance adherence to healthy eating behaviors during and after cooking skills programs.
1. University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Frances
F
Hardin-Fanning
2. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
JaNelle M
JM
Ricks
D001061:Appalachian Region; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D066262:Social Norms; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
behavior change; community-based research/participatory research; health promotion; nutrition; qualitative