Rita Mitchell

Culturally Relevant Nutrition Education Improves Dietary Quality Among WIC-Eligible Vietnamese Immigrants

OBJECTIVE To provide culturally appropriate nutrition education to improve the diets of Vietnamese women. DESIGN A total of 152 homemakers were recruited to participate in a nutrition education project, with 76 receiving the intervention and 76 serving as the control group. SUBJECTS/SETTING Non-English-speaking women eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) with incomes below 185% of the poverty level living in 5 California counties. INTERVENTION Bicultural, bilingual Vietnamese-American nutrition education assistants taught 5 to 7 lessons in the Vietnamese language using nutrition education materials written in the Vietnamese language by 2 bilingual, bicultural nutritionists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Twenty-four-hour food recalls were obtained before and after the 8-week interval on the treatment and control groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS To examine if there were changes over time in nutrient intake and nutrient density within groups, matched pair t tests were done. Analysis of covariance techniques determined differences between groups. McNemar tests determined if, within groups, there were changes over time in food groups consumed. Chi-square techniques determined changes between groups. RESULTS Over time, the number of treatment group participants who had at least one serving from each food group (P <.01), and who had the recommended number of servings from each food group (P <.05), significantly increased in comparison to the control group. Over time, the dietary nutrient density of calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin B6 (P <.05), as well as potassium (P <.01), of treatment group participants significantly improved in comparison to the control group. IMPLICATIONS With training, bilingual, bicultural women can effectively deliver culturally relevant nutrition education to their peers.

DIETARY APPROACHES TO THE TREATMENT OF THE OVERWEIGHT PEDIATRIC PATIENT

A review of recently published studies on the dieting practices of children and adolescents examines the impact those practices are having on the overall health of youth who are overweight and those who are not. Recommendations for improving the nutritional quality of childrens diets are made based on the food consumption patterns of youngsters ages 2 to 18 years. If implemented, these recommendations would lower calories, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, while improving nutrient density. Guidelines for the treatment of childhood overweight from four organizations are presented in chart form.