P162 EFNEP Nutrition Education Outcomes for Low-Income Youth in Los Angeles County

Abstract

Objective To improve youth nutrition knowledge and behaviors by implementing and evaluating the USDA Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). EFNEP teaches youth how to develop healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and practice safe food handling. Use of Theory or Research School-based nutrition education programs have demonstrated effectiveness in improving dietary habits and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Research shows that low-income communities suffer from higher rates of pediatric obesity. Target Audience Low-income youth (ages 5-18) in Los Angeles County. Program Description Trained nutrition educators implemented a six-lesson nutrition class series in schools, after-school programs, or summer programs. Alternately, nutrition educators trained and supported teachers or agency-paid staff to implement the lesson series. Classes were typically held once a week for one hour. The curriculum used varied by grade-level; all curriculum was developed and tested by the University of California and collaborators. Evaluation Methods Randomly selected program participants completed pre/post lesson evaluations. Four separate evaluation tools were used to evaluate students across grade levels. National EFNEP designed and tested the evaluation tools. Results In Federal Fiscal Year 2107/2018 Los Angeles EFNEP graduated 6,761 youth, and selected 1,295 participants to evaluate. Eighty-one percent of evaluated youth improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gained knowledge, 42% improved their physical activity practices or gained knowledge and 44% used safe food handling practices more often or gained knowledge. Improvements were greatest for 9th-12th grade youth, where 99% improved in one or more core area. K-2nd grade youth experienced lower results: 80% improved in one or more core area. Conclusions Los Angeles EFNEP is successful in improving the nutrition, physical activity and food safety knowledge of urban low-income youth. Improvements in knowledge appear to be greater for older youth; more research is needed to determine if these differences are significant. This research has implications for future nutrition education program development including effective targeting of health education topics by grade level. Funding None.