Focus Groups History
In Spring 2011, the Focus Group Team evaluated the effectiveness of the SLO County WIC Wellness Program, which promotes nutrition and physical activity among employees. WIC Coordinator Linda McClure began the program to bring about positive health changes in workers, and in turn, their families and clients.
As part of the program, employees receive discounted memberships to Kennedy Health Center and YMCA and also receive nutrition tips and cooking demos. The Focus Group Team found that employees are appreciative that their employer is concerned about their health, but they generally find it difficult to schedule time for physical activity in their busy days. One hour of office time a month is devoted to the program and their hectic schedules do not leave a great deal of time for them to exercise on their own.
Since 2008, the Focus Group Team has worked with STRIDE's Activity4All, a program that promotes physical activity among individuals with disabilities. These focus groups have included Cal Poly engineers that design equipment for the program, who are interviewed regarding their insights on the experience.
The Focus Group Team asks them questions about the learning experience they have had, as well as whether their perceptions of people with disabilities have changed. Overall, participants stated that their experience building the equipment was positive and that they now pay more attention to the access ramps they see on a day-to-day basis. However, their perceptions regarding people with disabilities have not changed significantly, which is arguably because they do not have direct contact with the individuals that use the equipment.
Many of these focus groups were implemented by Kinesiology student Bridie McCarey as part of her senior project.
During Fall 2008, the Focus Group team worked with the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) to examine parents' perceptions of barriers to physical activity and healthy eating for their children. The team developed questions and facilitated a discussion for six representative groups that consisted of both Spanish and English-speaking participants.
Each session was audio-taped and later transcribed to analyze and synthesize reports. The findings were then presented to LVCHO.
Between Spring 2008 and Spring 2009, The Focus Group Team also met with participants of STRIDE's Pink and Dude Chefs, an after-school enrichment program that teaches middle school students fun and healthy cooking skills.
By doing so, the Focus Group Team was able to learn more about the likes and dislikes regarding the program. This information was then used to tailor the program to better suit the needs and wants of participants.
In Winter 2010 and Winter 2011, The Focus Group Team also worked with C-PaTH, a STRIDE teen obesity program that incorporates comprehensive nutritional, educational and physical components to improve the health of overweight teenagers.
The team conducted focus group meetings at the start and end of the C-PaTH program and gained a better understanding of the health challenges faced by the teens.
