Katherine L. Cason

Food Choices, Food Sufficiency Practices, and Nutrition Education Needs of Hispanic Migrant Workers in Pennsylvania

This study examined components of health and well-being including nutrition, food choices, food sufficiency practices, and nutrition education needs of Hispanic migrant workers in Pennsylvania. Twelve focus group interviews were conducted with Hispanics in 5 different counties in Pennsylvania. Issues cited as affecting food choices were flavor, habit, tradition, and pleasure. Participants in all the focus groups mentioned that their eating habits have changed dramatically since coming to the United States, such as not eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables, because of perceived poor quality and high price. According to these results, the nutrition information and skills needed by this target audience are similar to what is needed by other population groups.

Consumption and perceptions of soy among low-income adults.

OBJECTIVE To assess the consumption and perceptions of soy among low-income adults. DESIGN A survey, which included demographic items, Likert scales for items on perceived benefits and barriers to soy consumption and factors that may increase soy consumption, and a soy food consumption frequency questionnaire. SUBJECTS/SETTING A convenience sample of 353 adults enrolled in either the Pennsylvania Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program or the Pennsylvania Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program. STATISTICAL ANALYSES Descriptive statistics. RESULTS Few participants (13%; n = 44) reported currently consuming soy foods. The percentage of respondents recognizing potential health benefits of soy ranged from 53% to 57%. The major barriers to soy consumption were a lack of knowledge on how to use soy (87%), cost (55%), and unavailability (45%). Participants indicated that education on how to use and incorporate soy into the diet (88%) and addition of soy into familiar foods (82%) may increase their soy consumption. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that this population would benefit from exposure to soy foods and instruction on preparing low-cost soy foods that can easily be included in their diet, in addition to education on the potential health benefits of soy foods. The results may provide direction for the development of curricula that educate this population on the potential benefits and uses of soy.

Do Food Stamps Without Education Improve the Nutrient Intake of Recipients

The Food Stamp Program was created to enable low-income households to obtain a nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing their food purchasing power. To assess effectiveness in achieving this objective, this study examined the effect of Food Stamps on the dietary intake of households in three Southern states, comparing dietary adequacy indicators of homemakers from Food Stamp households vs. non-Food Stamp households. Findings from this study suggest relatively few differences in intake of food groups and selected nutrients between Food Stamp and non-Food Stamp households. Food Stamp recipients enrolled in Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) typically consumed more meat and fat, but less milk than non-Food Stamp recipients. Food Stamp recipients enrolled in FSNEP typically consumed more fat and energy than non-Food Stamp recipients. This study shows that the additional resources provided by the Food Stamp Program alone may not substantially change participants’ dietary intake.

A Comparison of Program Delivery Methods for Low Income Nutrition Audiences

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) education on dietary adequacy and food-related behaviors of participants reached through individual, group, or SuperCupboard methods. The sample consisted of 2,059 participants. Results from this study suggest that the collaborative, learner-centered method of teaching (one-on-one) is the most effective in eliciting educational program impact. Group nutrition interventions do result in positive behavior changes in the participants, however the effectiveness and maintenance of adherence may require additional effort in order for group education to be cost effective.

Psychosocial Measures Used to Assess the Effectiveness of School-based Nutrition Education Programs: Review and Analysis of Self-report Instruments for Children 8 to 12 Years Old

OBJECTIVE To identify the psychometric properties of evaluation instruments that measure mediators of dietary behaviors in school-aged children. DESIGN Systematic search of scientific databases limited to 1999-2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Psychometric properties related to development and testing of self-report instruments for children 8-12 years old. ANALYSIS Systematic search of 189 articles and review of 15 instruments (20 associated articles) meeting the inclusion criteria. Search terms used included children, school, nutrition, diet, nutrition education, and evaluation. RESULTS Fourteen studies used a theoretical framework to guide the instruments development. Knowledge and self-efficacy were the most commonly used psychosocial measures. Twelve instruments focused on specific nutrition-related behaviors. Eight instruments included over 40 items and used age-appropriate response formats. Acceptable reliability properties were most commonly reported for attitude and self-efficacy measures. Although most of the instruments were reviewed by experts (n = 8) and/or pilot-tested (n = 9), only 7 were tested using both rigorous types of validity and with low-income youth. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Results from this review suggest that additional research is needed to develop more robust psychosocial measures for dietary behaviors, for low-income youth audiences.

Food Stamp and Non-Food Stamp Program Participants Show Similarly Positive Change With Nutrition Education

A retrospective study compared Food Stamp Program (FSP) and non-FSP participants on changes in dietary intake and food-related behaviors as a result of an educational intervention. Data were collected at preintervention and postintervention on 4121 low-income adults, using 24-hour recalls and a Food Behavior Checklist (FBC). Both FSP and non-FSP participants made significant improvements on assessed food groups, nutrients, and FBC items. Few differences were found on dietary change, but FSP participants made more improvement on 4 FBC items. Results indicate that nutrition education is similarly effective in improving dietary intake and food-related behaviors of FSP and non-FSP participants.

Educational Intervention Improves 4th-Grade Schoolchildrenʼs Nutrition and Physical Activity Knowledge and Behaviors

Many obesity interventions have taken place in clinical settings; however, schools are ideal places to develop and implement innovative interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity. The findings of this study indicate that the nutrition and physical activity intervention was significantly related to change in knowledge, food consumption, food-related behaviors, and physical activity behaviors. Scores of students in the intervention classrooms were significantly higher than those of students in the control classrooms. These improvements were maintained at the 5-month followup.

A Content Analysis of Nutrition Education Curricula Used With Low-Income Audiences Implications for Questionnaire Development

In developing recommendations for core measures/items for the evaluation of the Youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), three nutrition education curricula, implemented by land grant universities, were content analyzed. Selection criteria included the following: Curriculum content must include all EFNEP core content areas and must be implemented in more than one state with school children in third through fifth grades. Content analysis strategies were employed to identify and describe common areas/themes and mediators of behaviors addressed across the selected curricula. Content analysis coding was based on a list of behavioral mediators, which have empirical associations with nutrition, physical activity, and food safety. The most evident approaches identified across the three curricula were to enhance motivation, teach cognitive knowledge, and practice behavioral skills. The presence of self-regulation and environmental theory–based strategies was limited in all three curricula. In addition, multiple themes for nutrition, physical activity, and food safety were commonly addressed across curricula with multiple educational strategies. Based on these findings, recommendations for developing content appropriate measures and items for an outcome evaluation tool for Youth EFNEP are provided.

Focus Groups Identify Low-Income Audiencesʼ Perceptions and Education Needs Regarding Soy

This study assessed the perceived benefits and barriers of soy consumption, and factors that may encourage soy consumption, among low-income adults. Three key informant focus groups were conducted with nutrition educators (N = 26) who regularly work with participants in the Pennsylvania Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Pennsylvania Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP). Results indicated that low-income individuals would benefit from soyfood sampling, education on preparing soyfoods, and education on the health benefits of soy. Simple handouts or pamphlets, videos, displays, and hands-on group activities could all be effective means of conveying this information.

Folate Intake Of Selected South Carolina Women: Comparison of 24-Hour Recall Diet History and Food Frequency Questionnaire Methods

Abstract Differences between the 24-hour recall diet history and the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in determining reported folate intakes in 71 South Carolina women were evaluated. Average daily folate intake for the two assessment methods was 233 μg. Using the FFQ, 15% of the total group reported meeting the 1998 Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for folate of 400 micrograms, but using the 24-hour recall diet history only 2% reported an intake of ≥ 400 μg. Reported intakes based on the two FFQs were higher (p=0.02) than reported intakes based on two24-hour recall diet histories. Black subjects reported significantly (p=0.03) higher intakes of folate than white subjects, when the FFQ method was utilized. When the 24-hour recall diet history method was used, there was no significant difference in reported folate intakes based on either race or education. When folate intake was estimated by FFQ method, subjects with less than a high school education reported significantly (p=0.01) higher folate intakes than subjects with more education. When reported folate intakes based on 24-hour recall diet histories and FFQs were compared, the reported intakes of subjects with less than a high school education were significantly (p=0.004) higher than those with more than a high school education. These findings indicate that interviewer-administered 24-hour recall diet histories may be preferred over FFQs for the dietary assessment of folate in less-educated South Carolina women.