Preparing to survey grocery store managers about the promotion of healthful beverages at the point-of-purchase: A review of the scholarly literature and consultation with nutrition professionals

The goal of this thesis research study was to obtain and utilize information from the scholarly literature and from other nutrition professionals to develop a survey instrument for use among grocery store managers about healthful drink promotion. This study represents one component of a larger investigation, Rethink Your Drink Nevada (RYD). The research was conducted in three sequential phases. In Phase I, a review of published literature pertaining to grocery store characteristics, point-of-purchase interventions, and related opinions and experiences of grocery store managers was conducted for the purpose of developing individual survey items. As a result, 35 unique approaches to increase healthful food and beverage choices at the grocery store were identified, in addition to a number of related barriers, and facilitators. Next in Phase II, a panel of four community nutrition professionals provided their opinions regarding the extent to which the results of Phase I were complete and the content unambiguous. They identified additional approaches, barriers and facilitator, and made suggestions to clarify potential survey items. These findings were used by the RYD research team to develop an online survey. Finally in Phase III, the survey and participant recruitment materials were reviewed by three nutrition professionals employed by a grocery store chain for the purpose of identifying further improvements. They offered many suggestions to shorten and simplify the survey, and to make the recruitment materials more effective. In conclusion, each phase of this thesis study resulted in new information that was used to develop and refine a survey for use among grocery store managers. The methods were similar to those used by other researchers during the initial stages of instrument development. The absence of grocery store managers in Phases II and/or III represents a study limitation. Further study is needed to assess the validity and reliability of the survey instrument among a sample of grocery store managers