Designing a Digital Culinary Education Intervention for Parents With Low Income.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine cooking practices, online information-seeking habits, and intervention preferences among parents with low income to inform the development of a digital cooking intervention on the basis of the Healthy Cooking Index. METHODS: This formative research study included a brief survey followed by in-depth interviews (from February to April, 2021) with parents of a child aged 6-11 years with low income (n = 20; 100% female, 70% African American or Hispanic White). Interview transcripts were analyzed using a semistructured hybrid coding approach. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified to inform the development of the intervention (1) current Healthy Cooking Index behaviors, (2) preferences for digital cooking intervention content, and (3) design and delivery preferences. A 7-step process was used to develop the intervention and integrate qualitative findings. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Online culinary programs targeting parents with low income may consider short, mobile-friendly video formats and focus on easy-to-prepare recipes adaptable to family preferences.