Evaluation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education: Application of Behavioral Theory and Survey Validation

Objective: Application of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) evaluation and development and validation of an evaluation tool used to measure TTM constructs is described. Methods: Surveys were collected from parents of children receiving food at Summer Food Service Program sites prior to SNAP-Ed participation. Results: Item analysis of survey data (n = 149) suggests the survey is valid and reliable. Structural Equation Modeling confirmed the use of the TTM constructs in predicting SNAP-Ed participants' fruit and vegetable consumption. Perceived barriers (P = .04) and self-efficacy (P. = 006) were associated with fruit and vegetable consumption, whereas perceived benefits were not. Conclusions and Implications: Application of theory and survey validation can enhance SNAP-Ed evaluation.