Browsing by Author "Harden, Samantha M."

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Influences on Food Away from Home Feeding Practices Among English and Spanish Speaking Parent–Child Dyads
(2014-07-18) Pinard, Courtney A.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Harden, Samantha M.; Carpenter, Leah R.; Serrano, Elena L.; Schober, Daniel J.; Yaroch, Amy L.
One contributor to increased caloric consumption and obesity rates is food consumed away from home. Families are increasingly consuming food away from home (FAFH), contributing to increased daily energy consumption and the obesity epidemic. The interplay between feeding styles and co-decision making between parent and child dyads when eating FAFH is not understood. The present study describes in-depth qualitative information about influential factors related to family feeding practices among low-income English and Spanish speaking families with school-aged children when eating FAFH. 20 parent–child dyads (10 English-speaking, 10 Spanish-speaking) completed key-informant interviews about factors related to family feeding practices when eating food away. Interviews were independently coded for meaning units by two coders. Themes that emerged from the interviews included: decision making when dining out, parental practices and feeding style, use of and opinions about kid’s menus, and overall influences on food choices. Many parents had recommendations for healthier kid’s menu options and overall, Spanish-speaking families tended to eat out fewer times a week and cooked more family meals. This research elucidated rules and policies set by parents around food away from and inside the home as well as the factors that influenced ordering at restaurants. Further studies should explore the cultural value of food in Latino cultures, and the resultant dietary behaviors. Decision-making between parent and child dyads about menu ordering at restaurants is complex. The results of this study can be considered for future research in understanding the decision-making process for English- and Spanish-speaking parent–child dyads when ordering from a restaurant menu.
An integrative literature review of small food store research across urban and rural communities in the U.S.
(2016-06) Pinard, Courtney A.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Harden, Samantha M.; Yaroch, Amy L.
Objective: The purpose of this review was to identify how rural and urban food access differs across small food stores as well as the types of research strategies and methodologies that have been applied in each setting in the U.S. Methods: Manuscripts were included in the review if they were published in English over the past ten years, with a clear delineation between urban and/or rural, conducted in the U.S., and reported data from small food store research. Results: After elimination, 19 manuscripts representing rural (n = 5) and urban (n = 14) settings were included in the final review. The review was conducted in Nebraska between January 2015 and May 2015. Findings from the reviewed manuscripts revealed that rural communities might face different challenges with healthy food access in small food stores when compared to urban settings. In particular, small food stores in rural areas lacked healthy food options largely because storeowners perceived that their customers would not purchase healthier items and due to challenges with distribution. Conversely, studies reporting on small food stores in urban areas suggest challenges with transportation and safety concerns. Conclusion: Research on small food stores is nascent and further research, especially intervention studies, is needed. Further, less evidence exists on healthy food access, in particular intervention testing on small food store research in rural areas.
A Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Evaluation of Weekend Backpack Food Assistance Programs
(2016-09) Byker Shanks, Carmen; Harden, Samantha M.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an ongoing statewide weekend backpack program through the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. DESIGN: Mixed-methods inquiry was used to explore the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of backpack programs within Montana. SETTING: Study participants completed audio-recorded one-on-one phone interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Key informants (e.g., managers at food banks, staff at participating schools, policy makers) were purposively sampled (N = 20). METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data to describe each RE-AIM dimension. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and deductively (i.e., using RE-AIM as themes) coded for meaning units, placed into higher-order categories, and summarized in narrative. Supporting quantitative data (e.g., the proportion of eligible students that joined the program, rate of school-level adoption) were calculated using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Backpack programs with a broad reach and evidenced effect may be appealing to adopt. Weekend food bags cost an average $3.87 (SD ± .94) and there were some positive (i.e., ease, protecting participants\' privacy) and very few negative (logistical) components of implementation. Collaborators and community partners are necessary for long-term sustainability. CONCLUSION: Backpack programs are widespread and have potential to relieve weekend hunger; however, more efforts need to be made to end childhood hunger.