HLTH 4160- X01

Intervention-Behavior Change Theory/Model

Emily Rocha, Colton Wilkins, and Isabel Neeleman

Behavior Model Selected
We have decided to use the Health Belief Model for our program. This model is

used in prevention oriented strategies like we are planning on using in our program. The

Health Belief Model has six constructs which include: Perceived susceptibility, perceived

severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. We want

our program to identify reasons people do not eat a healthy diet and change their behavior

so they can live a healthier life.

A study that shows the success of this model was completed in Iran. Researchers

wanted to see if using the HBM in an intervention would improve food decisions through

an educational program for Iranian women. The purpose of their study was to see the

effectiveness of the HBM in educating Iranian women about the correlation of nutrition

choices and risk of cancer. The study found that the “... nutrition education program

based on the HBM has a positive effect on food choices among women” regardless of

their income , education, or socioeconomic status (Sasanfar et. al, 2022). Knowing this,

we could move forward knowing that the health belief model is capable of creating

lasting change in people.

Outline of the Interventions Used

There are three interventions we will use that also correlate with the Health Belief

Model. The first is to hold face-to-face or online classes to increase knowledge of healthy

eating. Another will be disseminate healthy eating messages through community

communication channels on social media. And lastly, improve the social and physical

environment to increase healthy eating in the priority population.

 We selected these interventions because they are obtainable and treat our problem

at the root, which are the households of our community. We will carry out these

interventions by creating a task force and closely monitor our progress. Overall, we also

hope to work directly with the community to build a relationship and therefore reach our

objectives.

Matrix of intervention

Program Goal(s) Health Belief Model Person/Agency

Initiate a nutrition education program (Construct) Responsible

in communities based on the insights
gathered by giving accessible
information about nutritious foods
and healthy eating, therefore reducing
the overall risk of chronic diseases
and illnesses in individuals.
Intervention Strategies {See Chapter Cues to Action Isabel Neeleman,
8} Colton Wilkins,
Emily Rocha
1. Hold face-to-face or online classes
to increase knowledge of healthy
eating

2. Disseminate healthy eating

messages through community
communication channels in social
media

3. Improve the social and physical

environment to increase healthy eating
in priority population

Objective #1 Perceived Benefits Isabel Neeleman,

Colton Wilkins,
Increase knowledge of healthy eating Emily Rocha
by educating the priority population
in Spring 2024 using various forms of
media to convey information and
classes

This objective will be measured

through questionnaires that will be
conducted after each class has been
completed.
Activity Cues to Action Isabel Neeleman,
Colton Wilkins,
Present healthy eating information Emily Rocha
through a visual presentation to a
class

Objective #2 Perceived Benefits Isabel Neeleman,

Colton Wilkins,
Increase availability of lacking or Emily Rocha
difficult to access nutritious food
options by working with local farmers
and running a weekly farmer’s
market where community members
can buy affordable nutritious foods.

This will be measured by keeping an

account of how much produce is sold
each week to community members at
the farmers markets.
Activity Cues to Action Isabel Neeleman,
Colton Wilkins,
Increase the amount of nutritious food Emily Rocha
options available at farmer’s market
by working with farmer’s market
organizers.

In our Matrix of Intervention, we focused on two of our program’s objectives

which are to, (1) Increase knowledge of healthy eating by educating the priority

population in Spring 2024 using various forms of media to convey information and

classes and (2) Increase availability of lacking or difficult to access nutritious food

options by working with local farmers and running a weekly farmer’s market where

community members can buy affordable nutritious foods. These objectives were matched

with the HBM construct of perceived benefits, because they both bring benefits to the

priority population if they choose to take action.

We created interventions that aligned well with the objectives of our program

plan. One of the intervention strategies that we decided on is to hold face-to-face or

online classes to increase knowledge of healthy eating. This aligns well with the first

objective stated above because by attending classes, the priority population is increasing

their knowledge of healthy eating. The HBM construct that applies to this intervention

strategy is Cues to Action because individuals from the priority population must take
initiative to attend classes. All team members were appointed to be responsible and aid in

this intervention activity.

Another intervention that we created is to improve the social and physical

environment to increase healthy eating in the priority population. This aligns well with

the second objective stated because it will help change the environment of the priority

population so that they have more opportunities to eat healthy and buy nutritious

foods.The HBM construct that applies to this intervention strategy is Cues to Action

because individuals must buy nutritious foods in order to improve their health and change

their social environment. We believe that working as a team will help this intervention be

successful so all team members were appointed to be responsible for this intervention.
References:
Sasanfar, B., Toorang, F., Rostami, S., Yeganeh, M. Z., Ghazi, M. L., Seyyedsalehi, M. S., &

Zendehdel, K. (2022). The effect of nutrition education for cancer prevention based on

health belief model on nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian women.

BMC Women’s Health, 22(1).

https://doi-org.ezproxy.uvu.edu/10.1186/s12905-022-01802-1