Community engagement strategy for healthy diet in urban community: A phenomenological study

Unhealthy diet is the risk factors for non-communicable diseases with limited intervention in Indonesia. Environmental change interventions are known to be effective in encouraging changes in healthy diet. However, community engagement is needed to ensure the adoption of the behaviour. This study seeks to identify the strategy to engage urban community in healthy diet intervention. Qualitative research with phenomenological approach was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Samples were selected among citizens of Yogyakarta city with the age range from 19 yr old to 65 yr old. The informants consist of lay persons, cadres and stakeholders. Data from 87 respondents were collected through 7 focus group discussions and 2 in-depth interviews. Strategies to engage community in healthy eating interventions consists of 3 main themes: i) intervention’s characteristics, ii) information characteristics and iii) the information channel. The intervention’s expected characteristics are aimed at various ages, using family approach through stakeholder support and collaboration and by increasing cadre’s capacity and providing opportunity to manage funding. Information characteristics are accessible, valid, up to date and personal. Information can be disseminated through virtual and non-virtual media. Community engagement strategies in healthy eating interventions should be segmented, strengthening the role of family and easily accessible