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Community-Engaged Adaptation of Feedback Processes for Improving Children's Diet
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Dipti Dev
Funding Information
Funding Agency: University of Nebraska Medical Center—Great Plains IDeA-Clinical and Translational Research Program
Award Date: Jul 1, 2025
End Date: Jun 30, 2026
Abstract
Most children in the U.S. consume about two-thirds of their daily meals while at child care, making these settings crucial for fostering healthy eating habits — especially for rural Indigenous children who are at a higher risk of clinical obesity.
This project aims to empower rural Indigenous communities to promote healthy eating and prevent clinical obesity and related health issues among Indigenous children by culturally adapting a multilevel feedback intervention called EAT for Prevention and testing its feasibility and acceptability among childcare programs affiliated with the Umnhon Nation.
Researches will systematically adapt the EAT for Prevention program by engaging tribally affiliated child care directors, teachers and families in five focus groups to collaboratively tailor the intervention based on their insights and feedback. Their input will be analyzed to prioritize adaptations that enhance the program's relevance and effectiveness.
The team will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted intervention with child care directors and teachers of tribally affiliated programs, as well as Extension coaches. Factors such as recruitment and retention rates will be measured, along with participants' views on the program using surveys.
The study will be grounded in the community's values of relationships, responsibility, respect, reciprocity and accountability. Ultimately, researches aim to improve dietary intake and reduce clinical obesity, contributing to better health outcomes and addressing disparities in Indigenous populations.
Early Childhood Education and Development, Rural Schools and Communities