Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior最新文献

{"title":"Leveraging Head Start and WIC to Address Food Insecurity in Immigrant Mixed-Status Families: A Perspective Paper.","authors":"Eric Macias, Cristina Gago, Joycelyn Vu, Roger Figueroa","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immigrant households face a disproportionate burden of food insecurity. Cultural, linguistic, and political factors inhibit mixed-status immigrant families from accessing community nutrition and food safety-net nutrition resources. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Head Start services provide a unique set of services that may be supportive toward alleviating food insecurity for young children and their families, particularly immigrant mixed-status families. To fulfill their respective missions, it is ideal that services align and operate in a complementary way. The perspective of this paper is that Head Start settings can help maximize WIC benefit uptake among historically marginalized families, including mixed-status families who are less likely to receive WIC services because of misinformation, discrimination, and increased fears of being targets of immigration enforcement policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Qualitative Analysis of Nutrition Educators' Experiences During Implementation of the New York State Healthy Pantry Initiative.","authors":"Erica Tyler, Gwyneth Frederick, Johanna Eldridge, Jackson Sekhobo","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Identify and examine factors influencing the implementation of the Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) in New York State.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Prequalitative and postqualitative intervention.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Forty-two food pantries.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Fourteen Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables nutrition educators.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Policy, systems, and environmental change.</p><p><strong>Phenomenon of interest: </strong>Facilitators, strategies, and challenges to HPI implementation.</p><p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Cyclical qualitative analysis employing, directed, emergent, and thematic coding techniques.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes emerged: (1) organizational readiness (capacity to implement changes), (2) operational/physical constraints (layout or operations), (3) JSY educator implementation strategies (techniques), (4) perceived outcomes of HPI participation (changes), and (5) maintenance and planned sustainability (ability to maintain the policy, systems, and environmental changes postimplementation). Collaboration and communication facilitated implementation, whereas challenges included staffing, open hours, and adequate supplies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion and implications: </strong>Policies, systems, and environmental strategies in food pantries may improve client experiences and promote healthy food selection. Future research could investigate factors influencing staff buy-in and HPI maintenance and sustainability beyond the first year.</p>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial Board/Board of Directors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1499-4046(25)00353-7","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1499-4046(25)00353-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Page A3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144770713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterizing Cultural and Contextual Influences on Hypertension Management Health Behaviors Among Hispanic American Women","authors":"Erika Largacha Cevallos M.S.,&nbsp;Victoria Trevino MPH,&nbsp;Rebecca Seguin-Fowler Ph.D., R.D.N., L.D., C.S.C.S.,&nbsp;Jacob Szeszulski Ph.D.,&nbsp;Chad Rethorst Ph.D.,&nbsp;Alexandra MacMillan Uribe Ph.D., R.D.N.","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hispanic American women experience uncontrolled hypertension at disparately high rates that, in turn, increases cardiovascular disease risk, the leading cause of death in this population. As a result, there is a need for culturally and contextually relevant blood pressure management interventions that promote healthy diets, physical activity, and stress reduction, which can be developed using community-informed approaches.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To characterize cultural and contextual influences on health behaviors used to manage blood pressure (diet, physical activity, stress management) among Hispanic American women with hypertension.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>Hispanic women with hypertension were recruited through a community clinic in Texas. Participants completed demographic surveys and an in-depth, semi-structured interview via phone. The interview guide was informed by the Nutritional Education DESIGN Procedure, an established nutrition education development framework.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>Four researchers analyzed transcripts using a team-based directed content analysis approach in which each transcript was coded independently by two researchers using ATLAS.ti. Researchers built consensus around coding and themes through team discussions. Demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants (n=11) were 52±11.4 years old; most were Spanish speakers (73%) and of Mexican descent (73%). The following themes were constructed from the data: (1) participants expressed strong attachment to cultural foods they viewed as unhealthy and were resistant to adopting unfamiliar foods aligned with hypertension management diets; (2) many participants indicated concealing feelings of stress to prioritize family needs ahead of their own, though some reported finding stress-relief through physical activity; and (3) support from family and friends played a consistent and key role in adopting health behaviors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Common elements of Hispanic culture, such as strong food identity, collectivism, familismo (i.e., a cultural value emphasizing family connection and loyalty), influenced health behaviors related to hypertension management. Incorporating strategies such as culturally relevant foods and recipes, as well as group support for physical activity and stress management, into hypertension management programs may strengthen intervention engagement and effectiveness for Hispanic American women.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>USDA – National Institute of Food and Agriculture</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Page S12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144771962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interventions to Enhance Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Among Breastfeeding Mothers in the United States: A Scoping Review","authors":"Uduak David M.Sc.,&nbsp;Oluwatosin Leshi PhD,&nbsp;Imosi Olatunji M. Sc,&nbsp;Katie Kavanagh PhD, RDN, LDN, CLC","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BFSE) has been shown to play an important role in breastfeeding success and continuity in many countries. However, there is limited interventions that explore the implication of breastfeeding knowledge in enhancing BFSE of breastfeeding mothers in the United States.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to explore and synthesize existing interventions designed to enhance BFSE among breastfeeding mothers in the United States, thus exploring their content and approaches as well as identifying gaps and opportunities for future research.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched for relevant publications published to find studies that involved BFSE as an intervention outcome. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and full text independently against the review’s eligibility criteria including studies spanning from pregnancy to postpartum period as target population, peer-reviewed studies on intervention that focused on enhancing BFSE as concept, and those conducted in English and in the United States between 2010 and 2024 using the Population, Concept and Context framework.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>Data synthesis was achieved by extracting and analyzing study characteristics, findings, and recommendations made for future BFSE studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten studies were included in this review; 7 were randomized control trials. Interventions that incorporated educational content demonstrated positive impacts on BFSE across various programs. Computer-based education, home-based support, motivational interviewing, peer mentoring and breastmilk expression programs significantly improved BFSE through tailored, culturally sensitive, and interactive approaches. Interventions that integrated theory-based educational components into web-based digital tools resulted in enhanced BFSE scores. Programs with interactive formats, such as role-playing and group workshops, also yielded higher BFSE scores than standard care.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Integrating interactive educational components effectively enhances BFSE. Future research should move beyond breastfeeding knowledge to exploring innovative strategies that could have much effect on breastfeeding self-efficacy.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>None</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Pages S8-S9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The DC Food Retail Landscape Assessment: An Evaluation of Access to Healthy and Unhealthy Foods by Neighborhood and Retail Outlet Type","authors":"Robin McClave MS, CHES,&nbsp;Anastasia Snelling PhD, RD,&nbsp;Caroline Krekorian BS,&nbsp;Brogan Madden MS, CHES,&nbsp;Javad Rajabi MS,&nbsp;Brooke Wayne MS","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Food insecurity affects over 13% of U.S. households, with rates exceeding 33% among those with incomes below 185% of the federal poverty level (Rabbitt et al., 2024). In Washington, DC, only four of the city’s 68 full-service grocery stores are in the lowest income wards (Jones &amp; Simpson, 2023). Limited access to affordable, healthy food significantly exacerbates health disparities. Research on the food retail environment can provide insight into barriers to healthy diets, inform retail food policy, and establish a benchmark for healthy food environments and evaluation moving forward.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Examine differences in access and amount of shelf space dedicated to selling healthy and unhealthy foods across DC.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>This cross-sectional study included128 food retail outlets across DC. Stores were categorized as: full-service grocery stores, small/medium food stores, Healthy Corner Stores, convenience stores, or drug stores. Data collection measured the shelf length/type dedicated to five healthy food categories and three unhealthy food categories. Shelf types included aisles, endcaps, floor displays and checkouts. Researchers measured exposure by documenting cumulative shelf space and number of locations where items appear.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>Analyses included: 1) linear shelf space dedicated to healthy/unhealthy foods across store types; and 2) shelf space variation within store types by geography. Means, standard deviations and ratios across wards/store types were calculated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All store types allocated more space to unhealthy foods with ratios below 1.0. A ratio of 1.0 would indicate an equal amount of space dedicated to healthy and unhealthy food. Full-service grocery stores (n=19) had the greatest ratio at 0.3, indicating three feet of shelf space for healthy foods for every seven feet of shelf space for unhealthy foods. Drug stores (n=25) had the least amount of space for healthy foods with a ratio of 0.006. Unhealthy foods were more prominent at endcaps and checkouts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This data shows disparities in availability of healthy and unhealthy foods within food retail outlets by store type. This research can guide statewide programming and policies to improve food retail environments.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>SNAP-Ed</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Page S9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examination of the Relationship Between Intestinal Conditions, Food Preferences, and Food Intake in 3–5-year-old Children and Their Parents","authors":"Tomoko Osera RD,&nbsp;Nobutaka Kurihara PhD,&nbsp;Hideo Kawaguchi PhD,&nbsp;Nobuhiko Kojima PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Food-related preferences and practices are formed during early childhood. However, they are very complicated. Recently, it has been suggested that intestinal conditions are related to various psychological conditions. Data showing the relationship between intestinal conditions, food preferences, and nutritional intake, particularly in children and their parents, are limited. Parents have a large influence on the eating habits of children; therefore, we investigated the relationship between the intestinal condition of parents and their eating habits.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined the relationship between intestinal conditions, food intake, and food preferences in healthy young children and their parents.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>In this cross-sectional study, 320 pairs of children and their parents were randomly selected. Parents who consented to the study answered the questions and submitted a questionnaire in 2024 (77.8% returned).</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>The questionnaires comprised self-rated health (SRH), Brief Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire for adults and children (BDHQ and BDHQ3Y, respectively), food preferences, and intestinal conditions. If there were any foods that they disliked, they were instructed to choose from 55 items. “Intestinal conditions” were assessed using 24 questions. For example, the fewer checks they need to make, such as whether your stool smells bad, the more comfortable their bowls are. Correlation coefficients were calculated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient or Pearson’s correlation coefficient.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The ages of the parents and children were 37.1 ± 5.1 and 4.4 ± 1.0 years, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the intestinal conditions of children and their parents. For both children and their parents, a low intestinal condition was negatively correlated with poor SRH. In children, low intestinal activity was significantly associated with several disliked foods and low vegetable intake. The correlation coefficients between vegetable intake and vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin K, and dietary fiber were ≥0.6.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Improving children’s food preferences and increasing their vegetable intake may improve their health, including their intestinal conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>None</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Pages S7-S8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing Fruit and Vegetable Knowledge Through Gamification: A Board Game-Based Nutrition Intervention Among Female Undergraduates","authors":"Oluwatosin Leshi PhD,&nbsp;Ebunoluwa Daini BSc,&nbsp;Uduak David M.Sc.","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Global fruit and vegetable (F&amp;V) intake is generally low across all age groups and countries, despite its role in preventing cardiometabolic diseases. Innovation strategies such as gamification offers a promising approach to enhance F&amp;V knowledge and influence dietary behaviors.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study assessed the effect of a board game-based nutrition intervention on F&amp;V knowledge among female undergraduates</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>Forty female undergraduates from a Nigerian University were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (20) or a control group (20). The intervention group were exposed to and participated in a F&amp;V-themed board game, Nutripoly to enhance their nutrition knowledge over three consecutive days. The control group were engaged in an educational session unrelated to F&amp;V.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>Pre- and post-intervention data on participants' F&amp;V knowledge were collected through a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of participants was 19.1±0.8 years (intervention) and 19±1.0 years (control). In the intervention group, the proportion of the participants with adequate knowledge of F&amp;V significantly increased from 46.7% to 100% (p=0.001), whereas there was decline in the control group from 64% to 60% (p=0.746). Additionally, in the intervention group, the 24-hour fruit intake increased from 13% to 33%, and vegetable intake from 13% to 20%. The control group reported a modest increase in 24-hour fruit intake from 16% to 20%, while vegetable intake reduced from 16% to 13%.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The board game-based nutrition intervention significantly improved F&amp;V knowledge and showed potential for enhancing F&amp;V intake among female undergraduates. Scaling up this gamified approach could be an effective strategy for promoting healthy eating habits among young adults and other populations</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>None</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Page S7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Child Nutrition Outcomes Associated with Father’s Feeding Styles in Ghana","authors":"Lauren Haldeman PhD,&nbsp;Siddique Gbanha Bawa M.Phil","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.074","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Childhood overweight/obesity is a public health concern often associated with parental diet-related factors. Despite increased father involvement in child feeding, the influence of their feeding styles and dietary habits on child nutrition is under-researched.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines the relationships between fathers’ feeding styles, nutrition knowledge, and children's diet quality and weight status.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>This community-based case-control study involved 151 children (6-12 years) with overweight/obesity and 151 with healthy weight in the Tamale Metropolis. Multistage random sampling was used to recruit fathers (≥20 years) and their children. Data were collected via face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviewing.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>Children's diet quality and weight status were outcome variables, and cross-tabulations were used to test associations with fathers' dietary diversity, nutrition knowledge, and feeding style (pressure and restriction) using SPSS.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fathers (n = 302) practiced high restriction (41.7%), pressure to eat (72.7%), had high nutrition knowledge (46%), and did not meet minimum dietary diversity (57.6%). Children had low diet quality (65.6%). Significant associations were found between fathers' nutrition knowledge and child’s diet quality [χ² (2, N = 302) = 12.06, p = 0.002], and fathers’ dietary diversity and child’s diet quality [χ² (2, N = 302) = 52.83, p &lt; 0.001]. Pressure to eat was not significantly associated with child’s diet quality but was associated with childhood overweight/obesity [χ² (2, N = 302) = 135.4, p &lt; 0.001].</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Interventions that focus on fathers' nutrition knowledge, dietary diversity and feeding style could be useful to address the diet quality and weight status of children.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>UNC Greensboro, School of Health and Human Sciences</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Page S33"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Training Needs for SNAP-Ed Policy, Systems, and Environmental Implementers Using the Borich Model","authors":"Jeannie Necessary MS,&nbsp;John Diaz Ph.D.,&nbsp;Laura Greenhaw Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Approximately 42 million households in the United States are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its complementary education program, SNAP-Education (SNAP-Ed). SNAP-Ed staff implement policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes that complement direct education to support positive changes in nutrition behaviors. In 2023, PSE core competencies were developed for PSE implementers. Understanding training needs for these competencies is essential to ensure effective PSE approaches.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine the training needs associated with the SNAP-Ed PSE core competencies.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><div>The Borich Model was used by prioritizing items (low to high) and identifying gaps (discrepancy scores -DS) between perceived ability and competency importance. SNAP-Ed implementers from the USDA SNAP-Ed Southeast Region (SERO) (N = 58) and the core competency developers (N = 7) ranked the competencies and assessed the top four. A Likert scale survey was then distributed to the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) evaluation committee listserv (N&amp;#3f77) and the USDA SNAP-Ed SERO implementing agencies (N&amp;#3f89). Respondents were asked to assess the four competencies on perceived importance, knowledge, and ability to apply them.</div></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><div>While 40 participants completed the survey for the first competency, 23 completed the entire survey. DS between perceptions of importance and ability compared to their perceived knowledge were calculated for each competency task. Then, a weighted DS was calculated for each participant (DS X mean perceived importance of the tasks). A mean weighted discrepancy score was then calculated for both knowledge and ability of the group.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Gaps were found between perceived competency importance and knowledge and ability to apply the competency. Participants identified community needs assessments, developing partnerships, defining partnership goals and expectations, and creating data collection plans as priorities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The gaps show a need for which competencies should be targeted for training purposes to enhance the effectiveness of PSE initiatives within SNAP-Ed programming. Suggestions for training programs include considering gaps in knowledge and ability and incorporating different learning styles.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>SNAP-Ed</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":"57 8","pages":"Pages S45-S46"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}