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Assessment Of The Nutrition And Physical Activity Education Needs Of Low-Income, Rural Mothers: Can Technology Play A Role?

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of low-income, rural mothers regarding their need for nutrition and physical activity education and the role of technology in addressing those needs. Quantitative and qualitative research was combined to examine the nature and scope of the issues faced by this target population. Women who were currently receiving food stamps and had children in nursery school to eighth grade were recruited through a state database to participate in a telephone survey (N  = 146) and focus groups (N = 56). Low-income, rural mothers were aware of and practiced many health behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity, but they faced additional barriers due to their income level, rural place of residence, and having children. They reported controlling the fat content in the food they cooked and integrating fruits and vegetables but showed less interest in increasing fiber consumption. They reported knowing little about physical activity recommendations, and their reported activity patterns were likely inflated because of seeing housework and child care as exercise. To stretch their food budget, the majority reported practicing typical shopping and budgeting skills, and many reported skills particularly useful in rural areas: hunting, fishing, and canning. Over two-thirds of the survey respondents reported computer access and previous Internet use, and most of those not yet online intended to use the Internet in the future. Those working in rural communities need to consider technology as a way to reach traditionally underserved populations like low-income mothers.

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Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment for funding of this study goes to the United States Department of Agriculture through a cooperative agreement between the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Maryland, College Park.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Nancy L. Atkinson PhD, Amy S. Billing MSSA & Sharon M. Desmond PhD

  2. College of Health and Human Performance, University of Maryland, Suite 3310 Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Robert S. Gold PhD

  3. Evaluation and Reporting Coordinator, Center for Workplace DevelopmentHarvard University, 124 Mt. Auburn St. 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Amy Tournas-Hardt MAA, MPH

Authors
  1. Nancy L. Atkinson PhD
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  2. Amy S. Billing MSSA
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  3. Sharon M. Desmond PhD
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  4. Robert S. Gold PhD
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  5. Amy Tournas-Hardt MAA, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nancy L. Atkinson PhD.

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Atkinson, N.L., Billing, A.S., Desmond, S.M. et al. Assessment Of The Nutrition And Physical Activity Education Needs Of Low-Income, Rural Mothers: Can Technology Play A Role?. J Community Health 32, 245–267 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-007-9047-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-007-9047-7

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