K. Treiman et al., ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS RELATED TO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AMONG LOW-INCOME WOMEN IN THE WIC PROGRAM, Journal of nutrition education, 28(3), 1996, pp. 149-156
This article describes formative research conducted as part of a study
aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income
women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women
, Infants and Children (WIC). Focus group discussions and central loca
tion intercept interviews were conducted with WIC participants to answ
er questions such as (1) What are their food shopping, preparation, an
d eating habits? (2) What perceptions do they have about fruits and ve
getables? (3) What barriers do they face to increased consumption of f
ruits and vegetables? and (4) What motivations and messages might be e
ffective in promoting increased consumption? Results indicated that th
ese women, while generally responsible for food shopping and preparati
on, did not cook extensively. They reported many positive perceptions
of fruits and vegetables, but also identified barriers to increasing c
onsumption, including lack of availability, time and effort to prepare
, and preference for other foods. Several implications for nutrition i
nterventions were suggested. First, a key motivation for these women w
as being a good role model for their children, suggesting a persuasive
appeal to use in interventions. Second, review of the women's current
eating behaviors led to an identification of five specific behaviors
that had the most potential for increasing overall consumption. Finall
y, the findings suggested ways in which nutrition interventions could
address each of the barriers identified.