[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38129-38130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10466]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other interested parties to 
comment on a proposed information collection. This information 
collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering 
science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. From 
development through testing of materials and tools with the target 
audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative 
research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, 
etc.), surveys and web-based collection tools.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 5, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Judy F. Wilson, Director, Nutrition 
Services Staff, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1012, Alexandria, VA 22302. 
Comments may also be faxed to the attention of Judy F. Wilson at (703) 
305-2576.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 1012.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Judy F. Wilson or Anita Singh at (703) 305-2585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Formative Research for 
Development of Nutrition Education Materials and Related Tools for FNS 
Population Groups.
    OMB Number: 0584-0524.
    Expiration Date: December 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is based on the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, the National School Lunch Act of 
1966, as amended, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, the 
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended, and the 
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, as amended. This request for 
approval of information collection is necessary to obtain input into 
the development of nutrition education interventions for population 
groups served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture--Food and Nutrition 
Service (USDA-FNS).
    Diet has a significant impact on the health of citizens and is 
linked to four leading causes of disease, which can reduce the quality 
of life and cause premature death. While these diet-related problems 
affect all Americans, they have a greater impact on the disadvantaged 
populations served by many FNS programs. One of FNS' goals includes 
improving the nutrition of children and low-income families by

[[Page 38130]]

providing access to program benefits and nutrition education. The FNS 
programs include Child Nutrition, Food Distribution, Food Stamp and 
Supplemental Foods Programs.
    The basis of our approach rests on the philosophies that all health 
communications and social marketing activities must be science-based, 
theoretically grounded, audience-driven, and results-oriented. 
Secondly, consumer-based health communications require a focus on 
specific target audiences, encouraging positive behaviors in culturally 
relevant ways, unique benefits and supports for adopting the new 
behavior, insights into the most appropriate time and place to deliver 
messages, and striking the right tone to enhance attention and action 
to the message. Interventions need to be designed so that they can be 
delivered through different types of media and in a variety of formats 
for diverse audiences.
    FNS initiated a nutrition education and promotion campaign, 
entitled Eat Smart. Play Hard.\TM\ (the Campaign) in FY 2000. The 
Campaign is designed to convey science-based, behavior-focused 
nutrition messages about healthy eating and physical activity to 
children eligible to participate in FNS nutrition assistance programs 
and their caregivers. The messages are based on the 2005 Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) and MyPyramid. Future projects will 
support Eat Smart. Play Hard.\TM\ and other nutrition education 
initiatives for all FNS nutrition assistance programs. This includes 
development of nutrition education materials, messages and 
interventions for all FNS nutrition assistance programs and 
participants.
    Fundamental to FNS' success in delivering science-based nutrition 
messages and reaching diverse segments of the population is obtaining 
qualitative feedback from key components of the target audience or 
individuals providing service to the target audience on the 
communication strategies and interventions that will be developed. This 
formative research is essential to advancing Eat Smart. Play Hard.\TM\ 
as well as other FNS nutrition education efforts. Formative input and 
testing activities described will help in the development of effective 
tools and communication strategies. Collection of this information will 
increase FNS' ability to formulate nutrition education interventions 
that resonate with the intended target population, in particular low-
income families.
    Formative research methods and information collection will include 
focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and 
web-based data collection. The data obtained will provide input 
regarding the potential use of materials and products during both the 
developmental and testing stages. In order to determine future 
nutrition education needs, tools and dissemination strategies, key 
informant interviews will be conducted. This task involves collecting a 
diverse array of information from a variety of groups including: People 
familiar with the target audiences; individuals delivering nutrition 
education interventions and projects; program providers at State and 
local levels; program participants and other relevant informants 
associated with FNS programs.
    Findings from all data collection will be included in summary 
reports submitted to USDA-FNS. The reports will describe the data 
collection methods, findings, conclusions, implications, and 
recommendations for the development and effective dissemination of 
nutrition education materials and related tools for FNS population 
groups. There will be no specific quantitative analysis of data. No 
attempt will be made to generalize the findings to be nationally 
representative or statistically valid.
    Respondents: Recipients and those persons eligible for FNS 
nutrition assistance programs, State and local staff administering FNS 
programs, FNS stakeholders and consumers, and other interested parties.

Estimated Number of Respondents:                                  19,000
    Focus Group Screeners....................................       3000
    Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................       1400
    Focus Groups.............................................       1500
    Intercept Interviews.....................................        800
    Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................        200
    Telephone Interviews.....................................       1500
    Surveys..................................................        800
    Web-based Collections....................................        800
    Confidentiality Agreements...............................       9000
Estimated Time per Response:
    Focus Group Screeners....................................     \1\ 10
    Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................      \1\10
    Focus Groups.............................................    \1\ 120
    Intercept Interviews.....................................     \1\ 30
    Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................     \1\ 60
    Telephone Interviews.....................................     \1\ 15
    Surveys..................................................     \1\ 30
    Web-based Collections....................................     \1\ 30
    Confidentiality Agreement................................     \1\ 10
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
    Focus Group Screeners....................................        \1\
                                                                  30,000
    Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................        \1\
                                                                  14,000
    Focus Groups.............................................        \1\
                                                                 180,000
    Intercept Interviews.....................................        \1\
                                                                  24,000
    Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................        \1\
                                                                  12,000
    Telephone Interviews.....................................        \1\
                                                                  22,500
    Survey Instruments.......................................        \1\
                                                                  24,000
    Web-based Collections....................................        \1\
                                                                  24,000
    Confidentiality Agreement................................        \1\
                                                                  90,000
                                                              ----------
    Total Estimated Burden...................................        \1\
                                                                420,500
 
\1\ Minutes.

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 19,000 respondents with a total estimated burden 
of 420,500 minutes or 7,008 hours.

    Dated: June 28, 2006.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-10466 Filed 7-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P