P45

P45

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ● Volume 38, Number 4, July/August 2006 Supplement P44 (continued) 90-minute after-school session. The af...

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Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ● Volume 38, Number 4, July/August 2006 Supplement

P44 (continued) 90-minute after-school session. The afternoon portion included bi-daily nutrition/etiquette and body awareness/ prevention lessons and a daily physical activity session, healthy snack, and free active play. Control students (n ⫽ 28) received their normal health and physical education curriculum. Outcome measures were obtained at baseline, conclusion, and at 4-month follow-up and included health knowledge, motor skill and fitness levels, and snack preferences. Data were analyzed using independent sample t tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and a chi-square test. Results showed that the intervention significantly affected all outcomes except for anthropometric measurements. Participants significantly increased their health knowledge by 98.9% and chose healthier snacks at posttest. Improvements in skill and fitness outcomes ranged from 30% to 300% immediately after the program. Many of the improvements remained significantly higher in the intervention group at four months. In conclusion, a relatively short but intense health promotion program can substantially improve and have long-lasting effects on students’ health knowledge, motor skill and fitness levels, and snack choices. With slight modifications, the NutriActive program can be integrated with the school curriculum. This project was supported in part by CDC.

P45 Sean Una Familia Activa y Sana: An Innovative Intervention Program to Prevent Childhood Obesity through Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in High Risk Latino/ Hispanic Populations in Maryland: Lessons Learned Mira Mehta, PhD, Maryland EFNEP, University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 0112 Skinner Building, College Park, MD 20742, [email protected]; Denise Benoit-Moctezuma, MPH, Prince George’s and Cecil Counties, University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 3308 Marie Mount Hall, College Park, MD 20742, [email protected]; Dianne Miller, MS, Extension Educators, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855, [email protected]; Cassandra Corridon, MS, Extension Educators, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702, [email protected]; Rebecca Davis, MS, Extension Educators, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702, [email protected] “Sean Una Familia Active y Sana,” an innovative theory based program for childhood obesity prevention was developed and implemented in Maryland in response to baseline data suggesting a high prevalence of obesity and risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes in the Latino/ Hispanic community in Maryland. The focus of the program is to provide poor, high-risk Latino/Hispanic families with skills in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption,

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reducing unhealthy beverage consumption, limiting screen time and increasing sustainable physical activities. The intervention consists of a series of six 2-hour interactive lessons with children and their families. The program is taught in English and Spanish. Qualitative research was utilized to determine barriers and constraints, and understand obesity related behaviors in the context of culture/ ethnicity. Recipes/foods selected for demonstration were based on recommendations from a panel consisting of Latino families, and both highly acculturated as well as new members of the Latino/Hispanic community. The program was implemented in two Maryland counties in collaboration with Care for Kids Program and numerous community partners. The program has been altered with a modified intervention for parents of children in after school programs in public schools. Preliminary program evaluation suggests that the program is effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and knowledge of beverages and healthy snack foods. The 7-3-3-1 Program was funded by USDA’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program, a grant provided by Maryland Cooperative Extension, Primary Care Coalition and in-kind donations by numerous collaborators.

P46 Using a Learner-centered Approach to Train Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in the California WIC Program Paula Benedict Griffin, MPH, RD, Department of Health Services WIC Supplemental Nutrition Branch, 3901 Lennane Drive, Sacramento, CA 95834, [email protected] It is well accepted that breastfeeding has many healthprotective benefits for both mother and child. For women, breastfeeding may reduce risks for developing breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis. Breast milk provides infants with “nature’s gold standard” to support optimal growth and development, and breastfeeding may be protective against childhood obesity. While many pregnant women are aware of the benefits and intend to breastfeed their newborns, lack of knowledge, skills, and a supportive family and social environment often prevents a successful lactation experience. Public health programs such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provide breastfeeding education and support in 82 local agencies throughout out the state, serving over 1.3 million people per month. The California WIC Program developed a training manual Mothers Helping Mothers for local agency staff to ensure consistent and accurate breastfeeding information is provided to program clients. The manual incorporates a variety of learner-centered, hands-on activities to improve knowledge and build confidence of agency staff involved in breastfeeding support. The manual, available in Spanish, is supported by a facilitator’s guide and a Power Continued on page S34