The Evaluation of IDEAL-REACH Program to Improve Nutrition among Asian American Community Members in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area

Grace X. Ma, Lin Zhu, Steven E. Shive, Guo Zhang, Yvette R. Senter, Pablo Topete, Brenda Seals, Shumenghui Zhai, MinQi Wang and Yin Tan
Additional contact information
Grace X. Ma: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Lin Zhu: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Steven E. Shive: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Guo Zhang: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Yvette R. Senter: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, NCCDPHP, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Pablo Topete: ICF International, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
Brenda Seals: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
Shumenghui Zhai: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
MinQi Wang: Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Yin Tan: Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Objective Asian Americans’ food purchasing, cooking, and eating patterns are not well understood. Greater insight into these behaviors is urgently needed to guide public health interventions of dietary behaviors in this population. The present study aims to examine the effects of a community-level intervention on food purchasing and preparation, nutrition knowledge, and health awareness in Asian Americans. Methods From 2015 to 2017, we conducted the Improving Diets with an Ecological Approach for Lifestyle (IDEAL-REACH) intervention to increase access to healthy food or beverage options for the Asian-American population in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Participants (1110 at pre- and 1098 at post-assessment) were recruited from 31 community-based organizations (CBOs). We assessed Asian Americans’ dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge, and awareness of heart health. Results The results of pre-post intervention comparisons showed that the IDEAL-REACH intervention was successful in promoting whole grains consumption, reducing sodium consumption, and raising knowledge and awareness related to nutrition and heart health. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is one of the first initiatives in the U.S. to engage CBOs to promote healthier dietary behaviors. The findings show that CBOs serve as a powerful platform for community-level interventions to improve healthy nutrition behaviors in Asian-American communities.

Keywords: community intervention; Asian American; nutrition; health disease prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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