The underlying theory behind this program is the Health Belief Model (HBM), constructs including perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cue to action, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention (Saghafi-Asl et al., 2021). This model hypothesizes that health-related action depends on the simultaneous occurrence of three classes of factors: the existence of sufficient motivation to make issues salient or relevant, the belief one is susceptible, and the belief that the benefits are worth the cost (McKenzie et al., 2017, p.162). Additionally, people must also feel themselves competent (self-efficacious) to overcome perceived barriers to taking action. Since our program believes that it is important for participants to share their perceived barriers and threats to gain self-efficacy and cues to action, we encourage participants to increase their self-efficacy around preparing and cooking fruits and vegetables by providing hands-on skill building and nutrition education. By having participants discuss their perceived barriers and threats to preparing and cooking foods early in the program, we are creating a community where others can ask and provide advice for one another and have access to the program blog for further connection which are cues to action.

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References

McKenzie, J. F., Neiger, B. L., & Thackeray, R. (2017). Planning, implementing, and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer. Pearson.

Saghafi-Asl, M., Aliasgharzadeh, S., & Asghari-Jafarabadi, M. (2021). Factors influencing weight management behavior among college students: An application of the health belief model. PLOS ONE, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252258