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Improving dietary behavior in African Americans: the Parents As Teachers High 5, Low Fat Program
Debra Haire-Joshu1, Ross C Brownson, M S Nanney
1Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. joshud@slu.edu
Preventive Medicine
|May 15, 2003
Summary
The High 5, Low Fat Program (H5LF) improved fruit and vegetable intake and reduced fat consumption in African American parents. This dietary intervention shows promise for national adoption.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition science
- Public health interventions
- Behavioral science
Background:
- The High 5, Low Fat Program (H5LF) was developed for African American parents in partnership with Parents As Teachers.
- The program aimed to test a dietary intervention suitable for national implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the H5LF dietary intervention.
- To assess changes in fat intake and fruit and vegetable consumption among parents.
- To improve nutrition-related skills and parental dietary modeling.
Main Methods:
- A group randomized, nested cohort design involving 738 parents.
- Delivery of the dietary change program through personal visits, newsletters, and group meetings by parent educators.
- Primary outcomes measured were reduced percentage of calories from fat and increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
Main Results:
- Parents in the H5LF program increased fruit and vegetable consumption by 0.53 (P = 0.03).
- A higher proportion of H5LF parents reduced fat intake to less than 30% of calories.
- Parents demonstrated improved performance of dietary behaviors (F = 14.2, P = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- The H5LF program is an effective dietary intervention for African American parents.
- The program is suitable for national adoption by Parents As Teachers sites.
- H5LF has the potential to significantly impact the dietary intake of African American parents nationwide.