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Social Marketing

Results from the FY 2006 formative analysis

The Pennsylvania social marketing campaign in FY 2006 was a formative analysis effort. Educational needs of very low-income Pennsylvanians were assessed during face-to-face structured interviews as part of the Nutrition and Healthy Living Formative Analysis Study from April to July 2006. Respondents (n=70) were adults under 36 years of age in geo-diverse urban and rural venues. Interviews included both open-ended affective and resource-related items and closed-ended questions from validated instruments assessing dietary behavior. Validated instruments included the 5 A Day Screener to assess fruit and vegetable intake, the ecSatter Inventory to measure eating competence, and the USDA Food Security Scale to determine level of food security.

Based on the ecSatter Inventory, less than half of the respondents (44.3%) were considered eating competent. Reported mean intakes of fruit, vegetable, and total fruit and vegetable per day were, respectively, 1.25, 1.39, and 2.64 servings, demonstrating need for improved dietary behavior. Participant responses to interview questions related to meal and snack planning, areas of interest for further nutrition education, and preferred sources of nutrition education are included in the table below. These responses indicated that the majority of study participants did consider nutrition when planning meals and snacks, however, participants ranked food preference as the most important factor affecting meal and snack planning.

Weight loss/maintenance was the nutrition-related topic participants indicated they were most interested in, and internet was considered by the majority of participants to be the most convenient source of obtaining nutrition information.

Factors Influencing Nutrition-Related Educational Needs of Participants*
Do you consider nutrition when planning meals or snacks?

Yes	29
Sometimes	11
No/rarely	14
What is the most important factor helping you decided how to plan meals and snacks?
	N		N
Food preference	18	Money	6
Health/nutrition	10	Family	4
Time	9	Availability	4
What topics related to nutrition are you most interest in?
	N		N
Weight loss/maintenance	11	Caloric intake	5
General health/nutrition	9	Cooking healthy	5
Fat	6	Fruits and vegetables	5
What is the most convenient way for you to get information about nutrition?
	N		N
Internet	21	Direct mailing	4
Doctor	15	Book	4
Clinic/counselor	10	Television	2
Pamphlet	8	Library	2

*Not all participants answered each question

The Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network and Pennsylvania Nutrition Education TRACKS are affiliated with The Pennsylvania State University.

For questions, contact: 717-233-1791 or panen@pahunger.org

This material was funded by the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education TRACKS, a part of USDA's Food Stamp Program.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Food Stamp Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low incomes. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-692-7462.