Gonzalez-Nahm S, Bhatti AM, Ames ML, Zaltz D, Benjamin-Neelon SE. A Public Health Messaging Campaign to Reduce Caloric Intake: Feedback From Expert Stakeholders.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2020;
52:595-606. [PMID:
32299674 DOI:
10.1016/j.jneb.2020.02.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To obtain expert feedback on a public health messaging campaign to reduce caloric intake in US adults.
DESIGN AND SETTING
In 2018, researchers conducted semistructured telephone interviews with US-based experts in obesity prevention, mental health, and health communications.
PARTICIPANTS
The research team invited 100 experts to participate using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Of those invited, 60 completed interviews, among which 37 (62%) were obesity prevention experts, 12 (20%) were mental health experts, and 11 (18%) were health communications experts.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Expert feedback regarding a public health messaging campaign to reduce caloric intake.
ANALYSIS
Two researchers reviewed and coded all transcripts. The team identified major themes and summarized findings.
RESULTS
Most experts identified barriers to effective calorie reduction including social and environmental factors, lack of actionable strategies, and confusion regarding healthy eating messages. Expert suggestions for effective messaging included addressing eating patterns, emphasizing nutrient density, and dissemination through multiple channels and trusted sources. In general, mental health experts more frequently voiced concerns regarding eating disorders, and communications experts raised issues regarding the dissemination of campaigns.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Professionals should identify and address barriers to delivering a calorie reduction campaign before implementation, using strategies that enhance delivery to ensure an effective campaign.
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