Nutrition Education Resources in North Carolina–Based Head Start Preschool Programs: Administrator and Teacher Perceptions of Availability and Use

Authors

Sarah Lisson, East Carolina University
L. Suzanne Goodell, North Carolina State UniversityFollow
Dipti A. Dev, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kristi Wilkerson,, East Carolina University
Archana V. Hegde, East Carolina UniversityFollow
Virginia C. Stage, East Carolina UniversityFollow

ORCID IDs

Dipti A. Dev

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 48:9 (2016), pp. 655–663. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2016.07.016

Comments

Copyright © 2016 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier, Inc. Used by permission.

Abstract

Objective: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions and Implications: Creative strategies for addressing NE resource availability and use and barriers (e.g., NE integration with educational standards) in Head Start are needed.