Purpose: This study aimed to determine if increased access to healthy food options, health screenings and health education along with meal preparation education would decrease poor food choices and increase awareness of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cholesterol in the low-income African American population which resides within the food desert of Washington, DC’s Wards 7 and 8.
Methods: Using Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Van, the researcher conducted health screening fairs to identify participants through surveys, for three (3) intervention focus groups. Focus groups were used 1) to gather information on cultural diet and health perceptions; 2) to educate on diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hyperlipidemia; and 3) to train participants on how to prepare healthy versions of cultural foods. After the completion of the focus groups there was an evaluation intervention’s effectiveness in the form of a post-test and participants provided with a cultural cookbook.
Analysis: The study utilized a phenomenological research approach; therefore, it required a sample size large enough to gain enough feedback for all or most perceptions. Homogeneous sampling was conducted for a focus group of 5-8 people per group. Sample size aim was 24, 26 participants signed up for the study. Twenty-one (21) participated in the first meeting and sixteen (16) participated in the final meeting. Data collected was in the form of focus group interviews and pre/post-test surveys which were analyzed using the Qualtrics software.
Significance: This project can be replicated in other food deserts and low-income areas to help to modify the diet of those residents. By changing the dietary habits of the population, millions of lives could be saved through a reduction in excessive hospital admissions due to complications from diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity.
Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States sponsored the project to complete my research via the Community Benefit program.
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