Community-Engaged Development of a Nutrition Curriculum: The Go Healthy Indigenous-Supported Agriculture Study

Abstract

Objective

To understand how Osage Nation community members define healthy eating and develop a corresponding nutrition curriculum through community engagement.

Design

This project comprised a concurrent embedded mixed methods group concept mapping (GCM) study followed by focus group discussions (FGD) to provide feedback on a nutrition curriculum.

Setting

Osage Nation, Oklahoma.

Participants

In the GCM study, 54 participants were recruited from a study of an Indigenous-supported agriculture program. GCM study participants and the Go Healthy Advisory Group participated in 2 FGDs.

Phenomenon of Interest

For the first study, concepts related to healthy eating were explored. In the second study, participants provided feedback on curriculum clarity, perceived efficacy, and relevance.

Analysis

In the first study, a multidimensional scaling algorithm was used to plot statements, and concept clusters were interpreted in a facilitated meeting with participants. A basic content analysis approach was used in the second study.

Results

Five concept clusters related to healthy eating were identified. These clusters were used to generate an 8-module curriculum deemed clear, potentially efficacious, and relevant among FGD participants.

Conclusions and Implications

Community members contributed to a framework of healthy eating for the Osage community, which was used to develop a nutrition curriculum that will be integrated into an Indigenous-supported agriculture program. Future research should explore long-term sustainability and the broader cultural impacts of nutrition programs on Indigenous health and food sovereignty.