A Qualitative Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Delivery of the Educational Component of a Nutrition Program, in a Remote First Nation Community

Abstract

Obesity is disproportionately affecting Aboriginal people in Canada. Physical activity and a healthy diet can help maintain a healthy body weight. We implemented a comprehensive school-based nutrition program in the remote community of Fort Albany First Nation that included these components: 1. health education; 2. healthy environment; 3. healthy policy; 4. community and family involvement; 5. program evaluation. In this paper, we evaluated qualitatively the efficacy of the delivery of the educational component of our program, through the examination of program integrity, and students’ and teachers’ impressions of the program. Results were triangulated and revealed that visual aids should be used extensively when presenting information, with the number of hands-on and group-work related activities being maximized, to fully engage the students. In Fort Albany First Nation and similar communities, future environmental health programs that have an educational component should incorporate the above recommendations.