(OR17-04-25) Modifying a Health Education Program Utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to restructure the Whole Body Approach (WBA) Program utilizing community-based participatory research (CBPR) to meet participants' needs/interests and to evaluate the modified program's impact by comparing pre- and post-survey results to the original program. It was hypothesized that the modified program would demonstrate greater changes in study outcomes in comparison to the original program.

Methods: WBA is a 10-week program focused on eating competence, motivations for physical activity, and self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption. This study utilized mixed methods evaluation design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. The original WBA program was delivered in fall 2022 and spring 2023 and was modified during the summer of 2023 after gathering feedback from neighbors. The modified program was piloted in fall 2023 and fully implemented in spring 2024. Pre- and post-surveys were administered with the participants from both versions of the program. Paired t-tests were used to compare differences in study outcomes before and after the program between the two cohorts.

Results: Three items from the modified program were statistically significant (P < .05), ‘I am comfortable about eating enough’, ‘If the situation demands, I can "make do" by eating food I don't much care for.’, and ‘How sure are you that you have the resources to provide meals that include fruit or vegetables to your family?’. An additional three items trended toward significance (P < .1), ‘I make time to eat’, ‘I feel it is okay to eat food I like’, ‘I eat until I feel satisfied’. In comparison, only one item from the original program was found to be marginally significant,  ‘I am comfortable with my enjoyment of food and eating’. Content analysis of neighbor feedback highlighted several themes, including neighbors learning desired content, neighbors feeling a sense of support, and participant enjoyment.

Conclusions: Utilizing CBPR research to modify the WBA program was shown to improve participants eating competency skills and mindfulness behaviors. This study indicates that CBPR can be used as a valuable tool for the restructuring of health education programs to better meet the needs of the target population

Funding Sources: This study was funded by Northern Illinois University and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.