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Engaging New Parents in the Development of a Peer Nutrition Education Model Using Participatory Action Research

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  • Richard Ball

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Kerith Duncanson

    (Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Health Education and Training Institute (HETI), 1 Reserve Road, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia)

  • Lee Ashton

    (Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Andrew Bailey

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Tracy L. Burrows

    (Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

  • Gail Whiteford

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia
    School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Maria Henström

    (Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Rachel Gerathy

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Alison Walton

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Jennifer Wehlow

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Clare E. Collins

    (Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

Abstract

This study investigated the implementation model and research methods of a peer education program for new parents focused on infant feeding and nutrition. Two hundred and sixty-nine parents with an infant aged birth to two years old were invited to become co-researchers in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study over three years. Data included focus group and online participant meeting transcripts, social media data, correspondence between the implementation team and peer educators, and field notes. All data were consolidated regularly and discussed by project participants and the research team. After each PAR cycle, structured content analysis was conducted, informing the next iteration of the implementation model and research methods. Participating parents were highly engaged in child feeding peer-to-peer education, but felt more effective and comfortable being considered as a child-feeding information resource sharer or ‘champion’ rather than a formal peer educator. Similarly, quantitative data collection was only effective when it was integrated seamlessly into the implementation model. PAR methodology suited the diversity and dynamic real-life study setting, facilitating substantial improvements to the peer nutrition intervention model and data collection methods. Our study demonstrated that a genuine collaboration between health professionals and participants to implement research in practice can achieve both intervention outcomes and research aims.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Ball & Kerith Duncanson & Lee Ashton & Andrew Bailey & Tracy L. Burrows & Gail Whiteford & Maria Henström & Rachel Gerathy & Alison Walton & Jennifer Wehlow & Clare E. Collins, 2021. "Engaging New Parents in the Development of a Peer Nutrition Education Model Using Participatory Action Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:102-:d:709227
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mary Kay Fox & Susan Pac & Barbara Devaney & Linda Jankowski, "undated". "Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: What Foods are Infants and Toddlers Eating?," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 58135004771244b68971cfb96, Mathematica Policy Research.
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