Local Links: The Washington State Community Nutrition Assessment Education Project

Clark County
The Heart Healthy Community Program

Contents | Focus Group Questions | | Focus Group Results |

Focus Group Questions

Introductions:

Introduce yourself and tell the group some ways you take care of your health.

Probes: Two areas in which many people pay special attention are nutrition and physical activity (exercise). Is there anything you do to eat more healthy, or to be physically active?

Healthy Eating (25 minutes)

When I say, "eating right" or "eating healthy," what comes to mind for you? What do you think of when you think of eating right or eating healthy?
Now think about other meals where you didn't eat as healthy as you thought you should. What kept you form making a choice to eat healthier?

Probe for internal and external barriers:
Now that we have talked about thinks that keep us from making positive eating changes, what are some of the things that could HELP you maintain healthier eating habits?

Physical Activity: (25 minutes)

From talking to other groups like this, I know that lots of people have heard of the advice that you should do 30 minutes of vigorous exercise 3 times a week. But, we all know that THAT doesn’t work for everyone. So, here is a message for those of use who aren't able to exercise 3 days a week for 30 minutes at a time.
[Hand out papers that say: "Every American adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity over the course of most days of the week."]

What do you think about this message?
What do these terms mean to you: accumulate, moderate-intensity, most days of the week?

Explain terms before continuing:

Accumulate: must do 7-10 minutes at a time, 3-5 times a day.
Moderate Intensity: examples include raking leaves, brisk walking, heavy housecleaning
Most days: at least 5 days a week

Let's think if you were to tell this message to your neighbor or friend, how would you say it?

Keep in mind that those are the kinds of physical activities we'll focus on for the rest of the discussion.

Visualization statement: Think back to the last time you were regularly more physically active. What got you "off the couch?"
What things make it difficult to be or stay active?

Probe for internal and external barriers.

What are some of the things that could HELP you add more physical activity into your daily life?

Ask for specific suggestions: What are things your family could do that would be helpful? Your community? Your schools? Your neighborhood grocery store? Your church? Your office/workplace? Some of you mentioned "walking partners (or another example). What could you do to make that happen?

Healthy eating and physical activity combined (15 minutes)

What kinds of things have you learned from changing some health behaviors (e.g. quitting smoking, cutting back on salt or caffeine, stress management) that might help you in improving your eating habits/increasing your physical activity level?

Wrap up and Departure

Quickly cover any final issues, if necessary
Offer an opportunity for any short final comments participants would like to make
Have participants complete short demographic questionnaire before they leave the room (optional)
Thank participants for their time and insights

Focus Group Results

**What is eating healthy?**
Knowledge	Perceptions
Fruits and vegetables Water Less Sugar Balance/pyramid Less meat	Raw vs cooked Less prepared food Chicken and fish Nutrasweet, "diet" foods Supplements and vitamins You need fat and sugar

**What isn't eating healthy?**
Knowledge	Perceptions
Fast food Doughnuts, pastries Eating quickly Soda Fried foods	Prepared food (canned or frozen) Beef Heavy meal at night Snacking Eating quickly Not eating second helping

**Barriers to Healthy Eating: Perceptions**
Time/Planning	Fast food Schedule: grab something quick Convenience Working, meeting deadlines Takes time to cook healthy, prep time Junk food is handy No time to plan (eating healthy takes planning)
Knowledge	Dieting means less food, therefore less nutrition Don't know how to eat/prepare food Cookies are 50 cents, apples are $5
Money	Takes more money to eat well Stuck with nearest store if no car to shop sales Healthy food costs more Fresh doesn't last; goes to waste faster
Choices	Eat differently at restaurants, potlucks (indulge) Easy to make poor choices if it's there Don't care Not wanting to (or too hard) to prepare big meal for one person Don't like to cook
Temptations	Ads Smells Stress leads to skipping meals

**Supports for eating healthier**
Planning	Plan ahead in the morning Having things ready-made Use a list and shop carefully Cook ahead and freeze, have food ready for you
Kids/family/others	Wanting to set examples I ate healthy as a child; want to do the same for my kids. Wanting to show kids how food is grown Having people around me working on eating healthy
Knowledge	Buying in season so it's cheaper, then freezing If fruits and vegetables were cheaper WIC classes Having information when we shop (near bad stuff) Posters to remind us what we should buy to eat healthier Positive reinforcement with ads

**What do you think of this message? "Every American adult should accumulate 30 minutes of more of moderate-intensity physical activity over the course of most days of the week."**
Positive Reactions	Reasonable Comfortable; I know what I'm doing is OK Everyday activities would meet this goal. It would relieve stress. Gives me ideas for meeting this goal, like parking farther away. Tells me if doesn't have to be vigorous to be OK
Negative reactions	Everyone does that; especially if you have kids It's not enough; there are still health problems if everyone is already meeting this goal. Doesn't change my outlook. You sill have to be motivated It's not something I'd tell someone.
How would you restate or paraphrase this message?	"What do you want to do to take care of yourself?" "Leave the bus pass at home." "Do you want to go for a walk?" "Most adults need to exercise a total of 30 minutes a day at least 5 days per week." "Get up and moving." "Even doing everyday stuff is exercise." "Even a little walk is better than no walk."
When were you more active?	Chasing after kids, being around kids Keeping busy; work Knowing I feel better when I’m active, I function better, am more productive, less stressed. Having a goal Doing something I enjoyed Being with friends
Barriers to being more active	Kids: I have to watch them. I can't be alone to exercise. Demands of family Weather keeps me inside. No energy, motivation, feeling lazy Costs money for a club membership Safety: I have to be with someone else. Not having a routine/schedule.
Supports for being more active	Doing it with a friend(s) Group (support) Make it social, fun Flexible schedule