title: Nutrition Education Resources in North Carolina-Based Head Start Preschool Programs: Administrator and Teacher Perceptions of Availability and Use.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to provide new insight into common barriers to the availability and use of nutrition education (NE) resources in Head Start preschool programs based on administrator and teacher perceptions.
  
  
  
  In-depth, semistructured phone interviews (n = 63) were conducted with administrators (n = 31) and teachers (n = 32) from North Carolina-based Head Start programs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis to identify common themes.
  
  
  
  Five emergent themes were identified within the areas of NE resource availability and use and barriers to NE resource availability and use. Participants expressed desire for greater organization of existing NE material resources, increased community support, and professional development opportunities for teachers specific to NE. Funding and time constraints were reported as affecting NE resources.
  
  
  
  Creative strategies for addressing NE resource availability and use and barriers (eg, NE integration with educational standards) in Head Start are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Science, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lisson
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: L Suzanne
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Goodell
authors.affiliation: Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dev
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Science, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilkerson
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Archana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Science, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Electronic address: carrawaystagev@ecu.edu.
authors.forename: Virginia C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Stage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009657:North Carolina; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Head Start; administrators; children; nutrition education resources; qualitative; teachers