Using Focus Groups to Develop a Bone Health Curriculum for After-school Programs

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Economos, Christina D ; Folta, Sara C ; Goldberg, Jeanne P ; Marcotte, Lori P
• Description:
  Introduction ; Childhood behaviors influence peak bone mass and osteoporosis risk in later life. The after-school environment provides an opportunity to enrich a child’s learning and experience. Our objective was to gain a better understanding of the knowledge of, attitudes and beliefs about, and barriers to achieving bone health among children, parents, and after-school program leaders from low-income, ethnically diverse communities. Findings led to the development, implementation, and evaluation of a bone health curriculum in the after-school setting. ; Methods ; Eight focus groups were conducted in three representative communities. Focus group participants included children aged six to eight years, parents of children aged six to eight, and after-school program staff. Transcripts and written notes from each session were reviewed and common themes were identified within each group. ; Results ; Most adults had some understanding of osteoporosis, but did not recognize that childhood behaviors had a role in developing the disease. Program leaders raised concerns about their ability to implement a health program and recommended a flexible format. Parents and program leaders recognized the importance of maintaining a fun atmosphere. ; Conclusion ; It is feasible to create a curriculum for a bone health program that meets the unique needs and interests of children and program leaders in the after-school setting. Addressing the needs, interests, and common barriers of the target population is an essential first step in curriculum development.
• Subjects:
  • Bone and Bones
  • Child
  • Child Welfare
  • Curriculum
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Male
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 2004; 1(3).
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  1
• Issue:
  3
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/19851/cdc_19851_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 235.21 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:757d60128ab26dfe99508d3bd28f5fd3b5136b84eb8e507ef9180fcd1406f35bf5d3a0428728cd47b17fa142f913b5700e00693a4f45d6654c06b6d39cc35728