Chan, Mimi W. (author), Chapman, Karen M. (author), and Foods and Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07903
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Ham, Mimeographed, 1994. 1 p. Presented at the Society for Nutrition Education, Portland, OR, July 16-20, 1994., Because attitudes about a topic can diminish the effectiveness of informational materials, previously identified attitudes concerning calcium intake were explored through focus group interviews. The purpose of this study was to clarify women's attitudes and behaviors toward calcium-related topics and nutrition education materials. Participants were recruited through Cooperative Extension Service, a church group, and the University of Illinois. Although four focus groups of 6-7 participants were planned, each group consisted of 2-6 women. All focus groups followed the same format, lasting for 1 to 1 1/2 hours; questions progressed from the general to more specific. Preliminary questions were directed at determining women's attitudes, interest, behavior, knowledge, and lifestyle. As the focus group interviews progressed, questions became more specific in assessing the nutrition education materials for readability, attractiveness, usefulness, age-appropriateness, and validity. Discussions also included whether dietary behavior change occurred as a result of educational materials, motivation to take materials home, and general use of materials. The focus group format allowed for in-depth discussions on the topics and provided rationale based on age and background knowledge. Motivating factors included prior interest in the topic and length of the materials. Many women mentioned that their busy lifestyles restricted them from reading long brochures. Younger women tended to underestimate the older women's ability to read smaller print size. Most importantly, neither younger nor older women felt that osteoporosis was a problem that their age group needed to address. Lastly, knowledge level of the general public was overestimated by one focus group comprised of graduate students. This study emphasized that women's attitudes about calcium intake and osteoporosis need to be addressed if nutrition education materials are to be effective.
8 pages, via online journal, Dense networks of rivers, canals, ditches, dikes, sluice gates, and compartmented fields have enabled the farms of the Red River Delta to produce 18% of Vietnam's rice (Oryza sativa) crop (figure 1), 26% of the country's vegetable crops, and 20% of capture and farmed aquaculture (Redfern et al. 2012). Agriculture in this fertile delta was transformed in the 11th and 13th century AD by large-scale hydraulic projects to protect the delta from flooding and saltwater intrusion, and provide field drainage during the wet season and crop irrigation in the dry season (Tinh 1999). The 20th century brought advancements in agricultural science globally—new crops and livestock genetics, inorganic fertilizers, mechanization, and pesticides that could double and triple food production per unit of land. It was the diesel pump combined with post-Vietnam War agricultural collectivization from 1975 to 1988 that brought the Green Revolution to the Red River Delta.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 117 Document Number: C13032
Journal Title Details:
38 page
Notes:
Paper presented to the Science Communication Interest Group Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Conference Washington, DC. August 9-12, 1995
