Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs
Nutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR progr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2023-01-01
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| Series: | California Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://calag.scholasticahq.com/article/94026-exploring-the-challenges-and-benefits-of-online-youth-led-nutrition-programs |
| _version_ | 1797249324198920192 |
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| author | Yu Meng Marisa Neelon Nancy LePage Brandon Louie Nancy Erbstein |
| author_facet | Yu Meng Marisa Neelon Nancy LePage Brandon Louie Nancy Erbstein |
| author_sort | Yu Meng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR program online presented challenges but also fostered new strategies and provided benefits. This study assesses the challenges, strategies and benefits of online YPAR programming, and it examines future program implications from the perspectives of both nutrition educators and youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight nutrition educators who attempted to implement YPAR programming during the 2020–2021 school year. We used a retrospective Qualtrics survey to gain information from 54 youth participants. We found that online facilitation encouraged the innovative use of technology, which was especially important because it allowed teams to connect with each other during tumultuous times. This online format made meetings easier in terms of planning, documentation and logistics. However, the online format presented particular challenges, such as coping with internet and technology difficulties and trying to sustain authentic engagement among participants without in-person interactions. Consequently, 50% of nutrition educators and 45% of youth respondents said they preferred a mix of in-person and online meetings for future YPAR programming. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T20:28:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a7469f0856e4c959e5c51a399036f69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0008-0845 2160-8091 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T20:28:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| record_format | Article |
| series | California Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a7469f0856e4c959e5c51a399036f692024-03-21T23:43:38ZengUniversity of California Agriculture and Natural ResourcesCalifornia Agriculture0008-08452160-80912023-01-019910510.3733/ca.2023a0015CAv077n03-04_8Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programsYu Meng0Marisa Neelon1Nancy LePage2Brandon Louie3Nancy Erbstein4Y. Meng is Youth, Families, and Communities Advisor, Emeritus, UC ANRM. Neelon is Community Nutrition and Health Advisor, Emeritus, UC ANRN. LePage is DEI Research Manager at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and MedicineB. Louie is Director of Community Engagement at the Center for Regional Change at UC DavisN. Erbstein is Associate Professor in Residence in the School of Education at UC DavisNutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR program online presented challenges but also fostered new strategies and provided benefits. This study assesses the challenges, strategies and benefits of online YPAR programming, and it examines future program implications from the perspectives of both nutrition educators and youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight nutrition educators who attempted to implement YPAR programming during the 2020–2021 school year. We used a retrospective Qualtrics survey to gain information from 54 youth participants. We found that online facilitation encouraged the innovative use of technology, which was especially important because it allowed teams to connect with each other during tumultuous times. This online format made meetings easier in terms of planning, documentation and logistics. However, the online format presented particular challenges, such as coping with internet and technology difficulties and trying to sustain authentic engagement among participants without in-person interactions. Consequently, 50% of nutrition educators and 45% of youth respondents said they preferred a mix of in-person and online meetings for future YPAR programming.https://calag.scholasticahq.com/article/94026-exploring-the-challenges-and-benefits-of-online-youth-led-nutrition-programscooperative researchdistance educationengagementfood and nutrition programsnutrition educationnutrition programsyouth |
| spellingShingle | Yu Meng Marisa Neelon Nancy LePage Brandon Louie Nancy Erbstein Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs California Agriculture cooperative research distance education engagement food and nutrition programs nutrition education nutrition programs youth |
| title | Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs |
| title_full | Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs |
| title_short | Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs |
| title_sort | exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth led nutrition programs |
| topic | cooperative research distance education engagement food and nutrition programs nutrition education nutrition programs youth |
| url | https://calag.scholasticahq.com/article/94026-exploring-the-challenges-and-benefits-of-online-youth-led-nutrition-programs |
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