Background Health behaviors, like diet, are influenced by a person’s culture and the society where they reside, contributing to presence of health disparities within unique region. Such evident in Central Appalachia cultural identity exists. Culture-based initiatives focused on improving food security other nutritional challenges have had success diverse groups, yet similar interventions considering geographically tied culture, Appalachia, limited. Aim This study aims identify specific...

The burden of obesity disproportionately influences poor health outcomes in rural communities the United States. Various social and environmental factors contribute to inadequate food access availability areas, influencing dietary intakes insecurity rates. This study aims identify patterns related fruit vegetable consumption within a SNAP-eligible low-income, highly obese Appalachian community. A prospective cohort was implemented gaps resources addressing challenges. SAS 9.4 software used...

Rural communities are disproportionally affected by food insecurity, making them vulnerable to the consequences of supply disruptions caused COVID-19 pandemic. While access was initially diminished due disruptions, little is known about mechanisms through which federal emergency assistance programs impacted in rural populations. Through a series five focus groups spring 2021, we examined impact pandemic on Appalachian community Kentucky. Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory Approach....

Online grocery shopping has the potential to improve access food, particularly among low-income households located in urban food deserts and rural communities. The primary aim of this pilot intervention was test whether a three-armed online trial improved fruit vegetable (F&V) purchases. Rural adults across seven counties Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina were recruited participate an 8-week fall 2021. A total 184 enrolled into following groups: (1) brick-and-mortar “BM” (control...

Availability of farmers markets may increase fruit and vegetable consumption among rural residents the United States. We conducted a community-based marketing campaign, Plate it Up Kentucky Proud (PIUKP), in 6 communities over 2 years to determine association between exposure campaign purchases, adjusted for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipient status. Logistic regression was used examine odds PIUKP influencing purchases. Awareness significantly associated with willingness...

Obesity is an increasing public health concern in the U.S. and a contributor to chronic illness, with trends revealing rise adult obesity disease rates among most vulnerable disadvantaged populations, including those rural communities. A mixed-methods approach was used examine perspectives on perceived physical activity barriers, resources, level of community support. Researchers utilized socioecological model multiple domains that support Appalachia. The present study focuses baseline data,...

Research has examined how the entry of grocery stores into neighborhoods influences dietary outcomes, yet limited evidence suggests a direct correlation between opening store and changes in intake. A factor that might influence individuals’ behavior more directly is closing where residents shop. This study aims to examine closure rural Appalachian high poverty county associated with cohort n = 152 individuals were recruited participate longitudinal examining purchasing habits At time point...

Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed electronic journal established by the National Center for Prevention and Health Promotion. PCD provides an open exchange of information knowledge among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, others who strive to improve health public through chronic disease prevention.

Online grocery shopping has expanded rapidly in the U.S., yet little is known about retailer's perceptions of online services, which can aid expansion services. Furthermore, many barriers to utilization persist across geographic areas, especially among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers. This study captured perceived and facilitators for managers SNAP-authorized Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with (n = 23) stores/supermarkets urban...

Several environmental level factors exacerbate poor health outcomes in rural populations the United States, such as lack of access to healthy food and locations be physically active, which support choices at individual level. Thus, utilizing innovative place-based approaches is essential improve outcomes. Leveraging community assets, like Cooperative Extension, a novel strategy for implementing community-driven interventions. This prospective cohort study (n = 152), recruited 2019 surveyed...

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is decreasing nationally, yet intakes remain high in certain sub-populations as new varieties of SSBs are introduced. This study aims to expand on SSB intake patterns among adults living Appalachia develop policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions reduce consumption. Baseline cohort surveys were conducted examine one rural Appalachian county Kentucky using a validated BEVQ-15 instrument. Ages collapsed into three generational groups -...

Rural communities in Appalachia are displaying increased obesity prevalence, yet traditional interventions have not provided a broad enough impact to improve dietary consumption patterns. Therefore, expanding efforts that address the food environment and incorporate behavioral nudges through community-developed marketing strategies may be viable mechanism beverage choices within this unique population. This study installed shelf-wobblers across n = 5 gas stations one rural Appalachian county...

The COVID-19 pandemic produced acute effects on health inequities, yet more enduring impacts in vulnerable populations rural Appalachia are understudied. This qualitative study included three focus groups with thirty-nine adults (74% female, mean age 52.7 years) to obtain perspectives the impact of well-being Martin County, Kentucky, fall 2022. Grounded Theory was employed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach capture lasting practices and status. Three prominent themes emerged:...

This mixed methods study explored online grocery shopping perceptions by surveying individuals who do and not receive SNAP benefits (n = 129) conducting interviews with recipients 26) have shopped online. T-tests assessed survey findings, codebook thematic analysis was used to identify qualitative themes, results were interpreted collectively. Survey found no differences in of between non-SNAP (p-values 0.2-1.0) that 97% felt comfortable using Five themes identified provided context the...

This Great Educational Materials article describes a novel nutrition education approach using series of statewide virtual book club webinars for the Is Butter Carb: Unpicking Fact from Fiction in World Nutritition by Rosie Saunt and Helen West. is implemented within University Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (Extension) to address misinformation strengthen literacy, focusing on consumer's knowledge, confidence, intention use information accurately.

This study explores the relationship between food security status and SNAP enrollment among adults in one rural Appalachian county. cross-sectional analysis represents wave of a prospective cohort study. Data were collected via telephone October 2020-January 2021 to assess nutrition assistance use status. There was significant association degree (p < .01) with SNAP-eligible participants experiencing higher rates insecurity this persistent poverty Findings highlight importance designing...

This article documents the spread of Christianity throughout Pacific, with a focus on Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The project begins first pre-Christian narrowing in CNMI, and follows arrival establishment into twenty-first century, noting Spanish, German, Japanese occupation islands World War II. Through investigating secondary sources conducting interviews current leaders churches various denominations I explore ways which has developed grown since time its introduction...