Perceived Healthfulness of the Environment of Communities with Low Income: Focus Groups and Interviews with Extension Nutrition Educators

Authors

Elder Garcia Varela, University of MichiganFollow
Jamie Zeldman, University of FloridaFollow
Jade McNamara, University of MaineFollow
Jesse S. Morrell, University of New HampshireFollow
Lisa Franzen-Castle, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Melissa D. Olfert, West Virginia UniversityFollow
Tandalayo Kidd, Kansas State UniversityFollow
Kendra Kattelmann, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Geoffrey Greene, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Karla P. Shelnutt, University of FloridaFollow

Volume

63

Issue

1

Abstract

This study explored Extension nutrition educators’ (NEs) perceptions of community members’ challenges and opportunities for achieving a healthy lifestyle. NEs represented various communities with low income across nine states. NEs across locations identified similar barriers (i.e., lack of access and availability of healthy and affordable foods; access to transportation; and financial insecurity) and opportunities (i.e., trustworthy and free nutrition education resources and programs; and access to food banks, food pantries, and health care professionals) that prevented or facilitated a healthful lifestyle. Future research should explore key community stakeholder and community member perceptions to guide the development of community-driven interventions.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Varela, E. G., Zeldman, J., McNamara, J., Morrell, J. S., Franzen-Castle, L., Olfert, M. D., Kidd, T., Kattelmann, K., Greene, G., & Shelnutt, K. P. (2025). Perceived Healthfulness of the Environment of Communities with Low Income: Focus Groups and Interviews with Extension Nutrition Educators. The Journal of Extension, 63(1), Article 2. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol63/iss1/2