WIC-Based Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Among Low-Income Mothers

Objectively assessed using data provided by the collaborating WIC agency. WIC reported whether participants redeemed any FMNP vouchers (yes or no) from baseline to 6 months.

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed with one of two items in a screening instrument developed by the National Cancer Institute. Participants reported the number of cups of vegetables (including 100% vegetable juice) they ate or drank each day (range 0-7). Higher numbers represent a better outcome (higher cups/day of vegetables consumed).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with one of two items in a screening instrument developed by the National Cancer Institute. Participants reported the number of cups of vegetables (including 100% vegetable juice) they ate or drank each day (range 0-7). Higher numbers represent a better outcome (higher cups/day of vegetables consumed).

Time frame: 6 months

Vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a reflection spectroscopy device (the Veggie Meter) to measure the level of carotenoid pigments in participants' skin (scores can range from 0 to 800). Higher scores indicate a better outcomes (higher carotenoid levels).

Time frame: 3 months

Population: For vegetable intake carotenoid scores, analysis sample sizes were 137 in the intervention group and 124 in the control group. In the intervention group, 13 of the original 160 participants competed the baseline assessment only, 4 moved out of the area, and 6 discontinued their study involvement. In the control group, 10 of the original 137 participants completed the baseline assessment only, 2 moved out of the area, and 1 discontinued their study involvement).

Vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a reflection spectroscopy device (the Veggie Meter) to measure the level of carotenoid pigments in participants' skin (scores can range from 0 to 800). Higher scores indicate a better outcomes (higher carotenoid levels).

Time frame: 6 months

Population: For vegetable intake carotenoid scores, sample sizes were 137 in the intervention group and 124 in the control group. In the intervention group, 13 of the original 160 participants competed the baseline assessment only, 4 moved out of the area, and 6 discontinued their study involvement. In the control group, 10 of the original 137 participants completed the baseline assessment only, 2 moved out of the area, and 1 discontinued their study involvement.

Height and weight were measured by trained research staff with participants wearing light clothing without shoes. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters.

Time frame: 3 months

Population: For weight status, sample sizes were 137 in the intervention group and 124 in the control group. In the intervention group, 13 of the original 160 participants competed the baseline assessment only, 4 moved out of the area, and 6 discontinued their study involvement. In the control group, 10 of the original 137 participants completed the baseline assessment only, 2 moved out of the area, and 1 discontinued their study involvement.

Height and weight were measured by trained research staff with participants wearing light clothing without shoes. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: For weight status, sample sizes were 137 in the intervention group and 124 in the control group. In the intervention group, 13 of the original 160 participants competed the baseline assessment only, 4 moved out of the area, and 6 discontinued their study involvement. In the control group, 10 of the original 137 participants completed the baseline assessment only, 2 moved out of the area, and 1 discontinued their study involvement.

Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. Responses were summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-23). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a higher number of vegetables at home).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. Responses were summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-23). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a higher number of vegetables at home).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. The number of different (unique) vegetables reported was summed across items to derive a total score (range 0-21). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a greater variety of vegetables at home).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with items from the Healthy Home Survey. Participants reported the number of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables they had at home. The number of different (unique) vegetables reported was summed to derive a total score (range 0-21). Higher scores indicate a better outcome (a greater variety of vegetables at home).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed via self-report with an item from the National Cancer Institute's Food, Attitudes, and Behaviors (FAB) survey. Based on their responses, participants were classified as knowledgeable of the recommended cups per day (yes or no).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed via self-report with an item from the National Cancer Institute's Food, Attitudes, and Behaviors (FAB) survey. Based on their responses, participants were classified as knowledgeable of the recommended cups per day (yes or no).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed with a validated 2-item measure (the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool or BPAAT \[Marshall et al., 2005\]). The instrument consists of two questions, one that assesses the frequency and duration of vigorous intensity physical activity and one that assesses the frequency and duration of moderate intensity physical activity undertaken in a usual week. A scoring algorithm is used to derive a total score (scores can range from 0 to 8). Participants are classified as meeting current physical activity guidelines (yes or no) based on the scores (a score greater than or equal to 4 indicates that the participant is meeting current physical activity guidelines, whereas a score between 0 and 3 indicates that the participant is not).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with a validated 2-item measure (the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool or BPAAT \[Marshall et al., 2005\]). The instrument consists of two questions, one that assesses the frequency and duration of vigorous intensity physical activity and one that assesses the frequency and duration of moderate intensity physical activity undertaken in a usual week. A scoring algorithm is used to derive a total score (scores can range from 0 to 8). Participants are classified as meeting current physical activity guidelines (yes/no) based on the scores (a score greater than or equal to 4 indicates that the participant is meeting current physical activity guidelines, whereas a score between 0 and 3 indicates that the participant is not).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed with a validated measure used to evaluate the Stellar Farmers' Market program (Dannefer et al., 2015). Participants rated how much they agreed or disagreed with statements designed to measure confidence in the ability to prepare and consume fresh produce. Item ratings are on a 4-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4). Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 5 to 20. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater self-efficacy for vegetable consumption).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with a validated measure used to evaluate the Stellar Farmers' Market program (Dannefer et al., 2015). Participants rated how much they agreed or disagreed with statements designed to measure confidence in the ability to prepare and consume fresh produce. Item ratings are on a 4-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4). Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 5 to 20. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater self-efficacy for vegetable consumption).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed via a single item (the Social Support Rating Measure) querying how much others support the participant to consume vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater social support for vegetable consumption).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed via a single item (the Social Support Rating Measure) querying how much others support the participant to consume vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater social support for vegetable consumption).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed via items from the Eating Among Teens and Young Adults Study (EAT)-II Survey (Laska et al., 2011). Participants reported how often, in the past month, they 1) bought fresh vegetables, 2) prepared a vegetable salad, and 3) prepared a dinner with vegetables. Responses were on a 5-point scale ranging from never to more than once a week. Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 1 to 15. Higher scores represent a better outcome (frequent use of the practices).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed via items from the Eating Among Teens and Young Adults Study (EAT)-II Survey (Laska et al., 2011). Participants reported how often, in the past month, they 1) bought fresh vegetables, 2) prepared a vegetable salad, and 3) prepared a dinner with vegetables. Responses were on a 5-point scale ranging from never to more than once a week. Ratings were summed across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 1 to 15. Higher scores represent a better outcome (frequent use of the practices).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed via a single item (the Preparation Skills Rating Measure) querying how the participant would rate his or her overall skill in preparing vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from poor to excellent). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater vegetable preparation skills).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed via a single item (the Preparation Skills Rating Measure) querying how the participant would rate his or her overall skill in preparing vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from poor to excellent). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater vegetable preparation skills).

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed with a single item (the Preference Rating Measure) querying overall, how much the participant likes the taste of vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (stronger vegetable taste preferences).

Time frame: 3 months

Assessed with a single item (the Preference Rating Measure) querying overall, how much the participant likes the taste of vegetables (on a 7-point scale ranging from not at all to a lot). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (stronger vegetable taste preferences).

Time frame: 6 months

Objectively assessed using data provided by the collaborating WIC agency. WIC reported whether participants redeemed any cash value vouchers at farmers' markets (yes or no) between baseline and 6 months.

Time frame: 6 months

Assessed via a single item (the Overall Satisfaction Rating Measure) querying how satisfied intervention recipients were with the intervention (on a 7-point scale ranging from very dissatisfied to very satisfied). Scores can range from 1 to 7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater overall satisfaction).

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Satisfaction was measured among the subgroup of participants who received the intervention (n = 160). Of this number, 128 completed the measure of overall satisfaction with program.

Assessed with a 5-item measure developed by the investigators querying how satisfied intervention recipients were with the intervention. Item responses were on a 7-point scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Scores were averaged across items to derive a total score. Scores can range from 1 to7. Higher scores represent a better outcome (greater satisfaction with the intervention).

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Satisfaction was measured among the subgroup of participants who received the intervention (n = 160). Of this number, 128 completed the satisfaction measure.