Engaging community partners to develop a study protocol for assessing child eating behaviors in a community setting
Presenter Biography
Lourdes Gonzalez, MPH Candidate (OHSU - PSU School of Public Health)
Institution
OHSU
Program/Major
Health Promotion
Degree
MPH
Presentation Type
Poster
Room Location
Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 296/8
Start Date
April 2019
End Date
April 2019
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/30977
Abstract
Significance
Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH), the inability to regulate the consumption of palatable foods following a satiating meal, is linked to childhood obesity. EAH is a laboratory-based metric understudied in community settings, especially for low-income, ethnically diverse children.
Aims
1: To develop community outreach and engagement strategies for a study to understand preschooler eating habits.
2: To modify the EAH protocol and maternal survey for a low-income, ethnically diverse study population
Methods and Results
Community-based outreach strategies included partnering with Earl Boyles Elementary School and Children’s Institute to engage two Community Advisors and six Data Collectors who work within the community. In collaboration with community partners, participant recruitment strategies were designed around school and community events and groups. Participant recruitment flyers, a survey instrument, and consent forms were developed in English and Spanish. An abridged and accessible research and ethics training tool was adapted to train data collectors. Community input was used to alter the EAH protocol to reflect foods commonly consumed in the community, and survey questions to be culturally sensitive.
Conclusion
Community engagement and outreach strategies contributed to a culturally informed study protocol, survey instrument, consent form, recruitment material, and data collection tools. The adapted study protocol will be a valuable tool for future research efforts seeking a better understanding of how demographic and environmental factors influence EAH in communities disproportionately affected by childhood obesity and adult disease.
Engaging community partners to develop a study protocol for assessing child eating behaviors in a community setting
Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 296/8
Significance
Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH), the inability to regulate the consumption of palatable foods following a satiating meal, is linked to childhood obesity. EAH is a laboratory-based metric understudied in community settings, especially for low-income, ethnically diverse children.
Aims
1: To develop community outreach and engagement strategies for a study to understand preschooler eating habits.
2: To modify the EAH protocol and maternal survey for a low-income, ethnically diverse study population
Methods and Results
Community-based outreach strategies included partnering with Earl Boyles Elementary School and Children’s Institute to engage two Community Advisors and six Data Collectors who work within the community. In collaboration with community partners, participant recruitment strategies were designed around school and community events and groups. Participant recruitment flyers, a survey instrument, and consent forms were developed in English and Spanish. An abridged and accessible research and ethics training tool was adapted to train data collectors. Community input was used to alter the EAH protocol to reflect foods commonly consumed in the community, and survey questions to be culturally sensitive.
Conclusion
Community engagement and outreach strategies contributed to a culturally informed study protocol, survey instrument, consent form, recruitment material, and data collection tools. The adapted study protocol will be a valuable tool for future research efforts seeking a better understanding of how demographic and environmental factors influence EAH in communities disproportionately affected by childhood obesity and adult disease.