The relationship between community nutritionists’ use of policy, systems and environmental strategies to prevent obesity and its determinants depends on networking

Bibliographic Data

ID15094322
AuthorsAngela H Lu (Cornell University), Katherine L Dickin (0000-0001-6268-5242, Cornell University), Mark A Constas (Cornell University), Jamie Dollahite (0000-0003-4896-2818, Cornell University, corresponding author), Jamie S Dollahite
Year2017
Volume20
Issue12
Pages2225-2235
Publication date2017-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s136898001700101x
PMID28633689
OpenAlexW2642078141
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited42

Objective To apply the Theory of Planned Behaviour to examine the relationship between the constructs of background factors and beliefs towards using policy, systems and environmental (PSE) strategies and reported use of PSE strategies to prevent obesity by a group of professional nutrition educators. Design Cross-sectional study using self-reported survey. Setting Cooperative Extension in New York, USA. Subjects Nutrition educators ( n 58); survey response rate 100 %. Results Nutrition educators’ reported use of PSE strategies to prevent obesity were positively associated with background factors of their community networking and number of staff they managed, their belief of other people’s expectations of them to make PSE changes and the belief that their communities were ready to use PSE strategies; and negatively associated with their belief that individual-level factors contributed to obesity. The relationships among these variables were complicated and their use of PSE strategies occurred only when they utilized their professional networks at a moderately high level (above mean of 5·3 on a scale of 1–7), given that their community was also ready to use PSE strategies. Conclusions Nutrition educators’ use of PSE strategies depends on several internal and external factors. Community networking needs to be emphasized as one of the most significant factors contributing to nutrition educators’ work in this area. Organizational and community support should be in place in order to facilitate nutrition educators’ effective use of PSE strategies

Environmental health · Geography · Medical education · Obesity · Scale (ratio · Community Health and Development · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Health Policy Implementation Science · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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