Assessment of Interest in a Virtual Avatar-Based Nutrition Education Program Among Youth-Serving Community Partners.

Examine the appeal of a virtual avatar-led nutrition education program among youth-serving community partners in North Carolina. We surveyed community partners using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory constructs of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Logistic regression evaluated the appeal and likelihood of the program's future use. Community partners (n = 100) agreed that the program was an innovative (87%) and convenient (85%) way for youth and parents to learn about nutrition. Partners who perceived the program as a relative advantage to current programs had significantly higher odds of future use intention (P = 0.005). Those who found it compatible with organizational and personal values had significantly higher odds of future use (P < 0.001). A nutrition education virtual avatar program is of interest to youth-engaged community partners. Future research examining the potential integration of this type of program within community organizations is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]