Assessment of nutrition education needs related to increasing dietary calcium intake in low-income Vietnamese mothers using focus group discussions

摘要

American women are not meeting their recommended dietary intake for calcium, with the lowest levels of intake being reported by low-income and minority women. Five focus group discussions were conducted with 34 low-income Vietnamese mothers (ages 25to 47) to assess their nutrition education needs related to dietary calcium. Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED theoretical model, factors related to increasing dietary calcium intake were identified. Knowledge and attitudes related to calcium sources, barrierspreventing recommended calcium intake, and preferred methods of receiving nutrition information were determined. Most participants did not consume the recommended number of dairy foods per day. Barriers to increasing dietary calcium intake were identified including taste, cost, time, unfamiliarity with dairy products, and, to a lesser extent, lactose intolerance. Many mothers did not know the diseases related to a low calcium intake. Misconceptions about the fat and calcium content of dairy products were common. Videotapes and print materials that include pictures of high-calcium foods were identified as desirable delivery methods for nutrition education. Friends, physicians, and the media were common vehicles of nutrition information. Children seemedto have a greater influence on their mothers' food purchasing and preparation choices than did husbands.