title: Barriers and Facilitators to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among WIC-Eligible Pregnant Latinas: An Application of the Health Action Process Approach Framework.
abstract: Identify barriers and facilitators to improve prenatal fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake among Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-eligible Latinas using the Health Action Process Approach framework.
  
  
  
  Qualitative data were collected via audiotaped in-depth interviews as part of a larger study to design an intervention to increase prenatal F&V intake.
  
  
  
  Hartford, Connecticut.
  
  
  
  Forty-five WIC-eligible Latinas completed the study. Included women were: ≥ 18 years old; in 2nd or 3rd trimester; having a singleton pregnancy; overweight or obese (ie, pregravid body mass index ≥ 25); not on a restricted diet; nonsmokers.
  
  
  
  Prenatal factors that promote and hinder F&V intake.
  
  
  
  Transcripts were independently read and coded, and a consensus was reached about emerging themes.
  
  
  
  Ten factors influenced prenatal F&V intake: social support, family structure, F&V access, F&V preferences, F&V knowledge, F&V health outcome expectations, self-efficacy, intentions, F&V action/coping planning strategies, and maternal health status.
  
  
  
  Social support from family/friends emerged as the primary distal factor driving prenatal F&V intake. Interventions designed to empower pregnant Latinas to gain the access, confidence, knowledge, and strategies necessary to consume more F&Vs must consider strengthening support to achieve the desired outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Electronic address: amber.hromi-fiedler@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hromi-Fiedler
authors.affiliation: Exercise Science and Sports Studies Department, Springfield College, Springfield, MA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Hispanic Health Council, Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Segura-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Hispanic Health Council, Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Damio
authors.affiliation: Women's Ambulatory Health Services, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Escamilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Latina; diet; fruits; pregnancy; vegetables