Income sub stratification within a low income sample denotes dropout and completion patterns in nutrition education intervention for young adults

A randomized, controlled 1 y nutrition education intervention for increasing fruit & vegetable intakes of low income young adults (18–24 y) retained 61.5% of subjects (control n=1016; intervention n=1026). 64.4 % of 787 dropouts reported a very low monthly income (VLI) of < $800. VLI dropouts (VLID) were examined to help future retention efforts and education focus. Compared to VLI completers (VLIC), VLID were less educated (p<0.001), more likely non‐white (p<0.001), male (p<0.05), a parent (p<0.001), pregnant (p=0.024) and living with children (p<0.001). Compared to dropouts earning ≥$800/m (LID), VLID were more likely non‐white (p<0.001) and living with parents (p=0.02). Transtheoretical Model (TTM) constructs were examined in the intervention group; no differences were found between VLID and LID. However, income was a factor in TTM responses of completers. Compared to those earning ≥ $800/m, VLIC were more likely to use dramatic relief (p=0.025) and identified more benefits for vegetable intake (p=0.046), but more barriers (p=.03) for fruit intake. VLIC tended to use less stimulus control (p=0.1 baseline, 0.05 follow‐up), and counter conditioning (p=0.05 follow‐up) for fruit. VLID tended toward higher baseline self‐efficacy than VLIC for both fruits & vegetables (p=0.1); a difference not seen between LID or completers earning ≥ $800/m or between LID and VLID. Findings support income stratification within low income samples to address retention and education needs. Funded by USDA, FNS, PA Nutrition Education Program