Haire-Joshu, Debra Background. Very little research has been conducted to ensure that effective findings are implemented across populations. The purpose of this proposal is to nationally disseminate the High 5 Low Fat Program (H5LF), an innovative and effective dietary change program for African American parents, developed in partnership with Parents As Teachers, Inc., (PA T) a parent education program. H5LF was funded through the Altering Dietary Patterns in African American Parents Study (RO1 CA68398, 1997 -2002), and is a supplement to the continuation of that application (Altering Dietary Patterns in Preschool Children-2RO1 CA68398-06, 2001-2005). H5LF included personal visits and nutrition materials delivered to African American parents by parent educators as part of the regular PA T program. H5LF successfully improved the dietary intake of African American parents as measured by: improved fruit and vegetable (FV) intake (.06 servings per day), decreased fat intake (-1.7%) and increased frequency of performance of low fat eating behaviors (p<.001), and parental modeling of dietary behaviors (p<.03).
Aims. Our primary aims are to (1) translate H5LF using a website CD-ROM technology, which will be incorporated into the national continuing certification training of PA T parent educators; (2) use PA T National Center communication channels to increase parent educator awareness and adoption of the H5LF/CD-ROM nationwide; (3) conduct an H5LF/CD-ROM outcome evaluation by using cross sectional, post survey design. Methods and Evaluation. Based on an ecological approach, and guided by diffusion of innovation theory, we will translate, pilot, and revise the traditional H5LF program to a CD-ROM format allowing for transportability. We will systematically carry out and evaluate the effectiveness of a dissemination plan designed to support the awareness, adoption and implementation of the H5LF/CD-ROM program by over 6000 parent educators, in 2875 PA T sites across all 50 states. We will track our dissemination activities through process evaluation. Our outcome evaluation will be a post survey of over 6000 parent educators allowing us to compare characteristics and practice patterns of nonadopters, adopters, and implementers. Innovation. This project offers the opportunity to deliver an effective cancer control nutrition curriculum to an estimated 28,000 African American parents and families currently enrolled and active in PAT nationwide.
