FEAST stands for Food Environment Accessibility Survey Tool. Physical and environmental barriers lead to poor dietary habits for those with mobility impairments yet no instrument currently exists to define and document these barriers. FEAST's goal is to create an instrument to measure the different factors that facilitate or inhibit dietary habits in people with mobility impairments.
Who funds FEAST?
FEAST is funded by the National Institutes of Health. FEAST is looking for other donors to help our project move forward and allow us to continue research when the NIH funding runs out.
Why was FEAST created?
Healthy dietary habits are dependent on having access to a ready supply of healthy foods. Almost 20 million adults in the US have a physical disability that impairs their mobility, and the prevalence of disability is expected to rise. FEAST was started to create an instrument to measure the different factors effecting dietary choices in people with mobility impairments. This tool will allow us to serve people with mobility impairments through scientific advancements in removing the obesity disparity experienced among people with mobility impairment (PMI).
What will happen with the results?
Data gained from this study will be used in publications, presentations, and the results will used to help the community. Data may also be used in future dissertations, thesis and undergraduate honors projects. Data gained from this project may also be used for future grant proposals.
Who is in charge of FEAST?
The FEAST study has two multi-principal investigators who share responsibility: Dr. Rebecca E Lee and Margaret Nosek. Drs. Daniel O’Connor, Rosemary Hughes, Michael Todd, and Ruman Ohri-Vachaspati are also part of the study.
How did we develop the FEAST measure?
The FEAST measure was develop through the implementation of a three-part research plan. First, nominal group technique groups were conducted to understand which barriers impacted the PMI community. Second, cognitive interviews were conducted in order to confirm these barriers. The FEAST survey was completed by more than 500 people with mobility impairments. The findings were used to refine the measure to its final form.
How will the results be used to help your community?
The results from the FEAST study will be used to define and document the barriers people with mobility impairments face with regard to dietary habits. The final survey will be used nationwide to gather information about the barriers people with mobility impairments face. These data can be used to influence policy makers and programming to help people with mobility impairments access healthy foods.
Who were our research participants in FEAST?
Individuals who qualified to participate in the FEAST study were 18 years or older, had a working phone or computer with internet access, had a chronic health condition or disability causing a mobility impairment, and had a mobility impairment for at least one year.