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. 2024 Apr;56(4):256-264.
doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.12.009. Epub 2024 Feb 2.

Community Health Worker Implementation and Cost Analysis of a Plant-Based Nutrition Program

John A Bernhart  1 , Gabrielle M Turner-McGrievy  2 , Kelli E DuBois  2 , Claudia Sentman  2 , Caroline Rudisill  2 , Nkechi Okpara  2 , Sara Wilcox  3 , Bonita D Clemons  4
Affiliations

Community Health Worker Implementation and Cost Analysis of a Plant-Based Nutrition Program

John A Bernhart et al. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: This study describes program implementation through a research-restaurant partnership and assesses participant satisfaction, program costs, and percent body weight changes.

Methods: Participants (n = 60) in a virtual synchronous (n = 43) or virtual asynchronous (n = 17) 12-week plant-based nutrition program received restaurant vouchers. Class satisfaction data were collected weekly. Assessments were completed at baseline, 3 months, and 9 months, along with interviews (n = 13) between 3 and 9 months. The costing approach estimated costs per participant. Interviews were coded using a content analysis and constant comparative method.

Results: Participants rated the intervention favorably. Program costs were $198.63/participant, and participants' willingness to pay postintervention was $101.50 ± $63.90. Participants shared satisfaction with course content, the restaurant partnership, and suggestions for future delivery. No changes in participants' percent body weight were observed between 3 and 9 months (P = 0.98), indicating maintenance of 3-month weight loss.

Conclusions and implications: A research-restaurant partnership successfully implemented a nutrition program and generated positive feedback. With the lifting of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic restrictions, future research can now test alternative implementation methods (in person vs online) in other restaurants.

Keywords: African American; community health worker; healthy eating; intervention; restaurants.

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