Deakin University Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) proposal to undertake collaborative project with SecondBite Introduction This proposal has been prepared by IPAN in response to the project outline “Hand Up not Hand Out” prepared by SecondBite in February 2016. “Hand Up not Hand Out” is an extension of SecondBite’s FoodMate nutrition education program and focuses on the evaluation of FoodMate participants’ outcomes or skills to identify the potential long term behaviour changes. Following detailed discussions with SecondBite research manager, Dr Geoff Smith, regarding the

potential program evaluation, IPAN is pleased to submit this proposal for consideration of funding

this collaborative project between Deakin University’s IPAN and SecondBite.

Project Aim: To evaluate the impact of the FoodMate program on attitudes and behaviour among participants over varying time intervals of follow-up.

Project Overview: In liaison with previously engaged FoodMate delivery agencies, IPAN will locate and interview/survey individuals who have taken part in FoodMate previously, to examine the potential long term (up to 2 years) impact of participation in the FoodMate program. Specifically the study will examine: • The cooking confidence, cooking/food preparation behaviours, and food independence among former FoodMate participants at varying intervals since participation • Participants’ self-reported new opportunities to eat healthily; perceptions of food accessibility/affordability • Physical activity of participants (although small sample size makes most valid measures impractical) • Participants’ perception of program impact on significant others (families and friends and communities), as reported by participants (ie proxy report) • Mental and social well-being of former participants (and subject to baseline data available, changes since baseline) • Dependent on comparability/availability of baseline data, comparisons of intake of core food groups and diet quality scores at pre-program, post-program and follow-up.

Project methodology will be finalised in close consultation with SecondBite. A Project Working Group consisting of the IPAN Project Team and Dr Geoff Smith from SecondBite will meet regularly throughout the Project. Caveats: Because this is a retrospective evaluation (with availability of appropriate baseline data to

be determined), and an uncontrolled study design with a relatively small sample, it will not be

possible to make firm conclusions as to the effectiveness/impact of the program. What the

evaluation can conclude is whether participants in ‘FoodMate’ report perceived beneficial impacts

over varying follow-up periods. If baseline dietary, behavioural and attitudinal data are amenable to

comparison, it may also be possible to examine the feasibility of collecting similar data at follow-up

and comparing these with baseline to examine change; however this pre-post test design with a

small sample will again only be suggestive of potential impact, rather than providing definitive

evidence. The small likely sample size suggests that qualitative, rather than quantitative evaluation methods may be most appropriate. We are also unlikely to be able to examine how the impact changes over varying time intervals, given the small overall sample size, meaning subgroups classified according to time since participation will be too small to make meaningful comparisons. We could investigate the feasibility of looking at this descriptively in broad time frames (e.g. <1 year, > 1 year).

IPAN Project Team • Alfred Deakin Professor Kylie Ball, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow. Her role is to lead the project and be the key contact for SecondBite. She will also chair Project Working Group meetings and be responsible for the completion of the project deliverables. • A second academic staff member (TBC) from IPAN will co-supervise the Research Assistant, assist with data analysis and preparation of project deliverables. • The IPAN project team will recruit a casual research assistant to undertake data collection and analysis and preparation of the project deliverables.

Timeline The proposed project will require 12 months for data collection and report/presentation preparation, commencing from sign-off of an agreement. An additional 3 months is required for preparation of a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Conference presentations are not included in the timeline as these are dependent on the timing of suitable conferences, acceptance of the conference abstract, and resources available to support attendance (if IPAN-led). A proposed timeline with tasks is outlined below. Task

Estimated timeline

Research planning and design Month 1-2

Literature review & development of evaluation instruments; ethics application

Month 2-3

Data collection Month 4-7

Data cleaning, coding and analysis complete Month 9

Submission of draft report for feedback Month 10

Final report submitted; findings presented to SecondBite staff/stakeholders

Month 12

Note: The timeline is dependent on receiving ethical approval by Month 3. Should this be delayed, other tasks will be shifted accordingly.

Project Deliverables The key deliverables will be a written report summarising the findings in electronic format, and a face to face presentation, including PowerPoint presentation, of the project findings to SecondBite staff and relevant others. Based on discussions with SecondBite, it has also been agreed that the IPAN project team will lead

the preparation of a scientific manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Relevant staff from SecondBite will be involved as authors on the paper provided they meet

authorship eligibility criteria. Work on preparation of the scientific manuscript will commence upon

completion of this project and falls outside of this funding proposal.

Budget The budget for this project is $24,783 (EX GST) to cover salary for the Research Assistant and travel costs. Deakin University is contributing substantial in-kind funds in the order of $54,840 to the project for Professor Ball’s and the other senior academic staff member’s time, and University infrastructure costs for the twelve month duration of the project. Next steps To engage Deakin University’s services to undertake this project, a contract addressing the budget, invoicing, services provided, milestones, deliverables, intellectual property, and other relevant factors will be required.