¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! Development of a Culturally Based Nutrition Education Curriculum for Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors Using a Theory-Driven Procedural Model

Abstract

We developed a theory-based dietary change curriculum for Hispanic breast cancer survivors with the goal of testing the effects of the intervention on change in dietary intake of fruits/vegetables and fat in a randomized, clinical trial. Social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model were used as theoretical frameworks to structure curriculum components using the Nutrition Education DESIGN Procedure. Formative assessments were conducted to identify facilitators and barriers common to Hispanic women and test the degree of difficulty and appropriateness of program materials. Focus groups provided valuable insight and informed preimplementation modifications to the dietary program. The result was a systematically planned, evidence-based, culturally tailored dietary intervention for Hispanic breast cancer survivors, ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! (Cook for Your Health!). The methodology described here may serve as a framework for the development of future dietary interventions among diverse and minority populations. Short- and long-term study results will be reported elsewhere.

Psychosocial mediators of dietary change among Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors in a culturally tailored dietary intervention

“…Details on the study design of ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! have been reported . Briefly, ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud!…”

“…Study results showed that the 9 sessions/12‐week intervention was effective at improving fruit and vegetable intake by over 2 servings per day at 12 months . The methods used and rationale for the intervention design have been previously published . Briefly, the intervention framework used 2 psychosocial theories, social cognitive theory (SCT) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), to provide a unified conceptual framework to identify both determinants and mechanisms of behavioral change.…”

Food environments are relevant to recruitment and adherence in dietary modification trials

“…Development of the intervention has been described in detail elsewhere [32]. Briefly, eligible participants were randomized into either a nine-session intervention program or the control group of written materials detailing dietary guidelines for cancer survivors.…”

Psychosocial Benefits of Cooking Interventions: A Systematic Review

“…Evidence-based cooking interventions have been used to improve nutritional status, weight-related outcomes, and cooking skills, often in low-income and/or minority populations and in specific patient populations such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (Aycinena et al, 2017; Rees, Hinds, O’Mara-Eves, & Thomas, 2012; Reicks, Trofholz, Stang, & Laska, 2014). A review of 28 research studies found cooking interventions led to favorable changes in health status and dietary intake of fat, fiber, and sodium, and these interventions yielded positive changes in cooking self-efficacy as well as attitudes and behaviors toward cooking (Reicks et al, 2014).…”