A Supplemental Produce and eLearning Nutrition Education Program for Georgians Who Use Safety-Net Clinics for Their Health Care

Abstract

Objective: To explore the experiences of safety-net clinic patients who engaged in a 12-week supplemental produce and eLearning nutrition education program.

Methods: This mixed-method study employed a nonrandomized comparison study design. Participants (intervention [n = 20] and comparison control [n = 6]) had diet-related chronic diseases. Data collection included pre- and post-intervention, focus group interviews, 24-hour diet recalls, and clinical and anthropometric outcome assessments. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using the constant comparison method. Nonparametric data analyses were conducted for quantitative data.

Results: Three primary themes emerged: (1) program benefits, (2) challenges to achieving health benefits and optimal engagement of the program, and (3) recommendations for program improvement. Quantitative data analysis did not show significant differences in pre- and post-clinical and anthropometric measures between the intervention and comparison groups.

Conclusions and implications: Findings suggest a unique Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education dissemination model that may decrease barriers to healthful eating and increase engagement in eLearning nutrition education.

Keywords: SNAP-Ed; eLearning; food security; medically underserved; nutrition education.