Network for a Healthy CaliforniaLAUSD Parent Focus Group Results

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Network for a Healthy CaliforniaLAUSD Parent
Focus Group Results

• Originally presented by UCLA School of Public
  Health Nutrition Friendly Schools and Communities
  Group, July 2007

Presented by
Jennifer Genens, MS, RD Nutrition
Specialist Network for a Healthy CaliforniaLAUSD
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Background

• At the time focus groups were conducted, LAUSD
  Network provided limited parent education
  workshops.
• Two contractors provided these servicesone RD
  and one bilingual specialist.
• Based on data from this current and prior
  studies, we are redesigning our parent education
  program.

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Research Questions

• What do parents know about LAUSD Nutrition
  Network (Network)?
• What nutrition information would parents like to
  learn?
• How would parents like nutrition information
  delivered to them?
• What are the best ways to recruit parents to
  participate in nutrition education programs?

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Research Methods

• Parent questionnaire was developed to determine
  knowledge and use of LAUSD Nutrition Network
  (Network) programs.
• Parent focus groups were used to assist in
  development of new parent education program.

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Recruitment

• Schools
• 5 LAUSD elementary schools with 50 or more of
  students participating in Federal Meal Program.
• Parents
• Recruitment flyers sent home with all students
  and posted throughout school and in parent
  center.

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Focus Group Procedures

• On the day of the focus group, parents
• Signed in.
• Completed questionnaire.
• Participated in focus group.
• Received incentive for participating.
• Focus group facilitators (2 per session)
• Signed parents in.
• Distributed and collected questionnaires.

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Analysis

• Descriptive statistics for parents knowledge and
  use of Nutrition Network parent programs.
• Major themes/categories based on research
  questions and focus group guide were identified
  from focus group transcripts.

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School Demographics

• 5 elementary schools.
• Geographically dispersed throughout the district.
• Both regular and year round calendars.
• High percentage of students on free/reduced
  meals.
• Four schools were predominantly Hispanic, one
  school predominantly Black.

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Parent Demographics

• 64 parents.
• Evenly distributed amongst schools.
• Female (93.2)
• Hispanic (84.7)

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Parent Knowledge and Use of NN Programs

• Majority (75.5) of parents aware their child
  attended a LAUSD Nutrition Network school.
• Just over one half (51.7) of parents attended a
  LAUSD Nutrition Network parent education program.

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Parent Knowledge and use of Nutrition Network
Programs

• Over half (61.3) received HOTM newsletter at
  least a couple of times per year.
• Parents who received the HOTM Newsletter
• Read it.
• Shared it with their child(ren).
• Tried the fruit or vegetable in it.
• Tried the recipes in it.

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Nutrition Education Program Content

• What do parents want to know about nutrition
• Basic information including why its important to
  eat healthy, portion sizes.
• Reading labels.
• Healthy cooking including healthy substitutions.
• Exercise.
• How to get kids to eat healthy.

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Nutrition Education Program Delivery

• How do parents want nutrition education
  delivered
• Cooking demonstrations.
• Written materials including pamphlets, brochures.

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Nutrition Education Program Logistics

• Day of week No preference.
• Time of day Before school and after school were
  equally mentioned.
• Length of class 11/2 2 hours, one time per
  month.
• Location School.

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Nutrition Education Program Recruitment

• Publicity
• Newsletters/fliers sent home
• Banners/posters around school
• Phone calls
• Recruitment
• Incentives including gift certificates, other
  prizes
• Recipes

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Limitations

• Voluntary sample
• Small sample size
• Ethnic and gender distribution

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Key Findings and Recommendations

• Distribute HOTM Newsletter to all parents.
• Integrate HOTM and parent nutrition education
  curriculum.
• Develop a high quality, multi-series education
  course and implement the program to reach a high
  number of LAUSD Network parents.

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Key Findings and Recommendations

• Develop high quality nutrition education
  materials.
• Include cooking demonstrations.
• Offer the nutrition course multiple times at each
  school site.

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Key Findings and Recommendations

• Include opportunities for entire family to be
  involved in the class.
• Provide incentives for parents to participate in
  the nutrition education course.

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For more information

• Network for a Healthy CaliforniaLAUSD
• www.healthylausd.net
• jennifer.genens_at_lausd.net