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Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs

California Agriculture > Volume 77 > Number 3  > research article 

< Previous | Table of Contents  

< Previous | Table of Contents  

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
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Authors

Yu Meng , UC ANR
Marisa Neelon, UC ANR
Nancy LePage, Claremont Graduate University
Brandon Louie, UC Davis
Nancy Erbstein, UC Davis

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0015

Published online November 29, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

Nutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR program online presented challenges but also fostered new strategies and provided benefits. This study assesses the challenges, strategies and benefits of online YPAR programming, and it examines future program implications from the perspectives of both nutrition educators and youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight nutrition educators who attempted to implement YPAR programming during the 2020–2021 school year. We used a retrospective Qualtrics survey to gain information from 54 youth participants. We found that online facilitation encouraged the innovative use of technology, which was especially important because it allowed teams to connect with each other during tumultuous times. This online format made meetings easier in terms of planning, documentation and logistics. However, the online format presented particular challenges, such as coping with internet and technology difficulties and trying to sustain authentic engagement among participants without in-person interactions. Consequently, 50% of nutrition educators and 45% of youth respondents said they preferred a mix of in-person and online meetings for future YPAR programming.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

References

Abraczinskas M, Zarrett N. Youth participatory action research for health equity: Increasing youth empowerment and decreasing physical activity access inequities in under-resourced programs and schools. Am J Commun Psychol. 2020. 66(3–4):232-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12433

Anderson M, Perrin A. Nearly one-in-five teens can't always finish their homework because of the digital divide. 2018. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center. www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/26/nearly-one-in-five-teens-cant-always-finish-their-homework-because-of-the-digital-divide

Bailey ZD, Krieger N, Agénor M, et al. Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: Evidence and interventions. Lancet. 2017. 389(10077):1453-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X

Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006. 3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Bronfenbrenner U. Toward an experimental ecology of human development. Am Psychol. 1977. 32(7):513-31. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.32.7.513

Cammarota J, Fine M, Cammarota J, Fine M. Youth participatory action research: A pedagogy for transformational resistance. Revolutionizing Education: Youth Participatory Action Research in Motion. 2008. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis. p. 1-9.

Elmer T, Mepham K, Stadtfeld C. Students under lockdown: Comparisons of students' social networks and mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Switzerland. PLoS ONE. 2020. 15(7):e0236337- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236337

Evans C, Moore R, Seitz S, et al. Youth perspectives on virtual after-school programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Youth Development. 2021. 16(5):251-68. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.1063

Fryar CD, Carroll M, Afful J. Prevalence of overweight, obesity and severe obesity among children and adolescents aged 2–19 years: United States, 1963–1965 through 2017–2018. 2020. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity-child-17-18/obesity-child.htm

Gibbs L, Kornbluh M, Marinkovic K, et al. Using technology to scale up youth-led participatory action research: A systematic review. J Adolescent Health. 2020. 67(2S):S14-S23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jado-health.2019.10.019

Kyeremateng R, Oguda L, Asemota O. COVID-19 pandemic: Health inequities in children and youth. Arch Dis Child. 2022. 107:297-9. http://doi.org/10.1136/archdis-child-2020-320170

Lawrence EM, Mollborn S, Hummeret RA. Health lifestyles across the transition to adulthood: Implications for health. Soc Sci Med. 2017. 193:23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socs-cimed.2017.09.041

Lemay DJ, Bazelais P, Doleck T. Transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comput Hum Behav Rep. 2021. 4:100130- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100130

London JK, Zimmerman K, Erbstein N. Youth-led research and evaluation: Tools for youth, organizational, and community development. New Dir Eval. 2003. 98:33-45. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.83

Louie B, Xiong N, Erbstein N, et al. Building together: Developing key partnerships to support youth-led participatory action research in CalFresh Healthy Living. 2018. University of California programming, UC Davis Center for Regional Change. https://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/report/building-together

Louie B, Erbstein N. Tips for facilitating youth participatory action research (YPAR) remotely. 2020. UC Davis Center for Regional Change. https://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk986/files/inline-files/CFCL%20Remote%20YPAR%20Tips.pdf

McCullough ML, Chantapra-sopsuk S, Islami F, et al. Association of socioeconomic and geographic factors with diet quality in US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2022. 5(6):e2216406- https://doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.16406

Odoms-Young A, Bruce MA. Examining the impact of structural racism on food insecurity. Fam Community Health. 2018. 41:S3-S6. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0000000000000183

Ohri-Vachaspati P, DeLia D, DeWeese RS, et al. The relative contribution of layers of the Social Ecological Model to childhood obesity. Public Health Nutr. 2014. 18(11):2055-66. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014002365

Ozer EJ. Youth-led participatory action research: Overview and potential for enhancing adolescent development. Child Dev Perspect. 2017. 11(3):173-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12228

Raja R, Nagasubramani PC. Impact of modern technology in education. J Appl Advanced Res. 2018. 3:33-5. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3iS1.165

Salerno Valdez E, Gubrium A. Shifting to virtual CBPR protocols in the time of Corona Virus/COVID-19. Int J Qual Meth. 2020. 19: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920977315

Svastisalee CM, Holstein BE, Due P. Fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents: Association with socioeconomic status and exposure to supermarkets and fast food outlets. J Nutr Metab 2012. Article ID 185484. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/185484

Wallerstein NB, Duran B. Using community-based participatory research to address health disparities. Health Promot Pract. 2006. 7(3):312-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839906289376

Zheng W, Yu F, Wu YJ. Social media on blended learning: The effect of rapport and motivation. Behav Inform Technol. 2021. 41(9):1941-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1909140

Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs

Yu Meng, Marisa Neelon, Nancy LePage, Brandon Louie, Nancy Erbstein
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Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs

California Agriculture > Volume 77 > Number 3  > research article 

< Previous | Table of Contents  

< Previous | Table of Contents  

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Yu Meng , UC ANR
Marisa Neelon, UC ANR
Nancy LePage, Claremont Graduate University
Brandon Louie, UC Davis
Nancy Erbstein, UC Davis

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0015

Published online November 29, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

Nutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR program online presented challenges but also fostered new strategies and provided benefits. This study assesses the challenges, strategies and benefits of online YPAR programming, and it examines future program implications from the perspectives of both nutrition educators and youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight nutrition educators who attempted to implement YPAR programming during the 2020–2021 school year. We used a retrospective Qualtrics survey to gain information from 54 youth participants. We found that online facilitation encouraged the innovative use of technology, which was especially important because it allowed teams to connect with each other during tumultuous times. This online format made meetings easier in terms of planning, documentation and logistics. However, the online format presented particular challenges, such as coping with internet and technology difficulties and trying to sustain authentic engagement among participants without in-person interactions. Consequently, 50% of nutrition educators and 45% of youth respondents said they preferred a mix of in-person and online meetings for future YPAR programming.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

References

Abraczinskas M, Zarrett N. Youth participatory action research for health equity: Increasing youth empowerment and decreasing physical activity access inequities in under-resourced programs and schools. Am J Commun Psychol. 2020. 66(3–4):232-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12433

Anderson M, Perrin A. Nearly one-in-five teens can't always finish their homework because of the digital divide. 2018. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center. www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/26/nearly-one-in-five-teens-cant-always-finish-their-homework-because-of-the-digital-divide

Bailey ZD, Krieger N, Agénor M, et al. Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: Evidence and interventions. Lancet. 2017. 389(10077):1453-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X

Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006. 3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Bronfenbrenner U. Toward an experimental ecology of human development. Am Psychol. 1977. 32(7):513-31. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.32.7.513

Cammarota J, Fine M, Cammarota J, Fine M. Youth participatory action research: A pedagogy for transformational resistance. Revolutionizing Education: Youth Participatory Action Research in Motion. 2008. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis. p. 1-9.

Elmer T, Mepham K, Stadtfeld C. Students under lockdown: Comparisons of students' social networks and mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Switzerland. PLoS ONE. 2020. 15(7):e0236337- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236337

Evans C, Moore R, Seitz S, et al. Youth perspectives on virtual after-school programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Youth Development. 2021. 16(5):251-68. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.1063

Fryar CD, Carroll M, Afful J. Prevalence of overweight, obesity and severe obesity among children and adolescents aged 2–19 years: United States, 1963–1965 through 2017–2018. 2020. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity-child-17-18/obesity-child.htm

Gibbs L, Kornbluh M, Marinkovic K, et al. Using technology to scale up youth-led participatory action research: A systematic review. J Adolescent Health. 2020. 67(2S):S14-S23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jado-health.2019.10.019

Kyeremateng R, Oguda L, Asemota O. COVID-19 pandemic: Health inequities in children and youth. Arch Dis Child. 2022. 107:297-9. http://doi.org/10.1136/archdis-child-2020-320170

Lawrence EM, Mollborn S, Hummeret RA. Health lifestyles across the transition to adulthood: Implications for health. Soc Sci Med. 2017. 193:23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socs-cimed.2017.09.041

Lemay DJ, Bazelais P, Doleck T. Transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comput Hum Behav Rep. 2021. 4:100130- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100130

London JK, Zimmerman K, Erbstein N. Youth-led research and evaluation: Tools for youth, organizational, and community development. New Dir Eval. 2003. 98:33-45. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.83

Louie B, Xiong N, Erbstein N, et al. Building together: Developing key partnerships to support youth-led participatory action research in CalFresh Healthy Living. 2018. University of California programming, UC Davis Center for Regional Change. https://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/report/building-together

Louie B, Erbstein N. Tips for facilitating youth participatory action research (YPAR) remotely. 2020. UC Davis Center for Regional Change. https://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk986/files/inline-files/CFCL%20Remote%20YPAR%20Tips.pdf

McCullough ML, Chantapra-sopsuk S, Islami F, et al. Association of socioeconomic and geographic factors with diet quality in US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2022. 5(6):e2216406- https://doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.16406

Odoms-Young A, Bruce MA. Examining the impact of structural racism on food insecurity. Fam Community Health. 2018. 41:S3-S6. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0000000000000183

Ohri-Vachaspati P, DeLia D, DeWeese RS, et al. The relative contribution of layers of the Social Ecological Model to childhood obesity. Public Health Nutr. 2014. 18(11):2055-66. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014002365

Ozer EJ. Youth-led participatory action research: Overview and potential for enhancing adolescent development. Child Dev Perspect. 2017. 11(3):173-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12228

Raja R, Nagasubramani PC. Impact of modern technology in education. J Appl Advanced Res. 2018. 3:33-5. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3iS1.165

Salerno Valdez E, Gubrium A. Shifting to virtual CBPR protocols in the time of Corona Virus/COVID-19. Int J Qual Meth. 2020. 19: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920977315

Svastisalee CM, Holstein BE, Due P. Fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents: Association with socioeconomic status and exposure to supermarkets and fast food outlets. J Nutr Metab 2012. Article ID 185484. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/185484

Wallerstein NB, Duran B. Using community-based participatory research to address health disparities. Health Promot Pract. 2006. 7(3):312-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839906289376

Zheng W, Yu F, Wu YJ. Social media on blended learning: The effect of rapport and motivation. Behav Inform Technol. 2021. 41(9):1941-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1909140

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