Photovoice

Abstract

This illustrated article shares insights regarding American Indian youths’ perceptions of their daily environments with regard to their diet and eating healthily. Researchers used a community-based participatory research method, “photovoice.” Fourteen American Indian youth aged 11–14 were given cameras to capture opportunities and barriers to eating healthily in their environments (school, home, and community), culture, and traditional foods and customs. Images highlight challenges in youths’ nutritional understanding and environment. The study results suggest gaps in American Indian youths’ basic nutritional understanding and opportunities for strategic social marketing to overcome barriers while reinforcing benefits of healthy eating traditions. Insights gleaned can inform future health interventions. Researchers used insights to adapt an established intervention, Cooking with Kids (CWK). Under a larger grant, guided by social and cognitive learning theories, which identifies processes and determinants of health behaviors, CWK aims to increase the intake of healthy foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, and to increase youth nutritional and cooking competencies. This article illustrates the value of photovoice for researchers and decision makers to visualize issues from participants’ point of view, specifically the American Indian obesity issue.