- Email: [email protected]
P50
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ● Volume 38, Number 4, July/August 2006 Supplement
P49 (continued) To achieve this goal, the JIA program lessons and classroom activities are structured around measurable objectives. After completing the JIA program, students will have sustained exposure to lessons and learning activities targeting five behavior changes; eating a minimum of five fruits and/or vegetables per day, getting four servings of milk, yogurt or cheese per day, cutting out soda and other sugaradded drinks, fitting in 60 minutes of physical activity per day, and limiting screen time to two hours or less per day. A major aspect of the JIA program is the use of pedometers (step counters) to monitor activity level. Students record daily step counts and attempt to reach personal activity goals. Programs such as JIA, which promote improved health behavior in youth, are necessary to change a lifetime pattern of inactivity that begins in elementary school. It is critical that children are taught to make smart food and physical activity choices early in life, while behaviors still can be easily and effectively changed.
P50 Mass Mailing to Food Stamp Eligibles: Less Bang for the Buck? Susan J. Beeman, MS, RD, CDN, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected]; Michelle Pierce, PhD, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT, 06269, [email protected]; Susan Furbish, BA, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected]; Ann Ferris, PhD, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected] The choice of delivery method for nutrition education determines effectiveness of message impact. The objective of this project was to determine the cost effectiveness of a newsletter mailing. The Foodlinks newsletter was introduced in 2005 and mailed to a random sample of 1000 food stamp households in Connecticut. A questionnaire asking recipients how they liked the newsletter, what nutrition topics they would like addressed, and who was most likely to read it was attached. To encourage responses, a postage paid addressed return envelope and a small gift was included. A random sample of 158 of the original households was contacted by bilingual staff for a follow up phone survey. Total cost of the mailing was $5,224.00. Of the mailed newsletters, 9% were returned as undeliverable. Of the 913 delivered, 5% of the follow up surveys were completed by recipients and returned. Of the 158 phoned families, 24% completed a portion of the survey. Recipients had a very positive response or complete disinterest. By mailing the newsletter to all food stamp recipients, many uninterested families received the newsletter driving up the cost per actual reader. An attractive bilingual newsletter
S35
can be a cost effective way to reach food stamp recipients if the publication is targeted to those who are interested. Future issues of the newsletter will be provided through food stamp offices where individuals come to apply or renew food stamp benefits. This project was funded by the USDA/ FNS and the CT Department of Social Services.
P51 Adapting MyPyramid to Low-literacy Audiences Kathleen Manenica, MS, CN, Washington State University Extension, 7612 Pioneer Way E, Puyallup, WA 98371-4998, [email protected]; Jill Armstrong Shultz, PhD, Washington State University, 106 FSHN Building, Pullman, WA 99164, [email protected] USDA’s MyPyramid (MP) is a complex, abstract graphic model that is a challenge for educators to use to teach healthy food choices to low literacy audiences. This project (1) helped educators explain MP as the basis for a healthy diet, (2) identified a simple (easy-to-read) approach to teach the complex concepts of discretionary calories and nutrient density; and (3) developed simple teaching tools that help convey these concepts in a meaningful way in the classroom. USDA MyPyramid graphic was adapted to visually portray ‘hidden’ concepts of discretionary calories and nutrient density. A white gradient placed over the upper two-thirds of the food group bands visually represents decreased nutrient density and increased discretionary calories as one moves upward. Two horizontal lines divide the graphic into “Base” (raw, whole), Middle” (refined) and “Tip” (highly processed) foods, and identify relative amounts of fiber, fat, salt, and sugar found at each level. A table using the same color/gradient format gives general examples for each food group. A poster series isolates each food group (triangle) graphically and when used with food models provides students with an experiential process to identify and discuss appropriate levels to place a variety of foods. Pilot evaluation data will be available in spring 2006. These tools encourage more effective use of the MyPyramid graphic with a broader audience. The visual modifications increase understanding of ‘hidden’ concepts by both educators and low literacy audience. Funding was provided by WSU Extension and USDA Food Stamp Program.
P52 Deal Me In—Food, Fitness and Fun in the After School Setting Mary Anne Burkman, MPH, RD, Dairy Council of California, 80 Sway Way, Suite 210, Oakland, CA 94621, [email protected] With 30 percent of U.S. children and adolescents categorized as overweight or at risk of overweight, there could not be a more critical time to establish sound food and activity decision-making skills for this population. After school Continued on page S36
P49 (continued) To achieve this goal, the JIA program lessons and classroom activities are structured around measurable objectives. After completing the JIA program, students will have sustained exposure to lessons and learning activities targeting five behavior changes; eating a minimum of five fruits and/or vegetables per day, getting four servings of milk, yogurt or cheese per day, cutting out soda and other sugaradded drinks, fitting in 60 minutes of physical activity per day, and limiting screen time to two hours or less per day. A major aspect of the JIA program is the use of pedometers (step counters) to monitor activity level. Students record daily step counts and attempt to reach personal activity goals. Programs such as JIA, which promote improved health behavior in youth, are necessary to change a lifetime pattern of inactivity that begins in elementary school. It is critical that children are taught to make smart food and physical activity choices early in life, while behaviors still can be easily and effectively changed.
P50 Mass Mailing to Food Stamp Eligibles: Less Bang for the Buck? Susan J. Beeman, MS, RD, CDN, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected]; Michelle Pierce, PhD, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT, 06269, [email protected]; Susan Furbish, BA, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected]; Ann Ferris, PhD, RD, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension, Ubox 4017, Storrs, CT 06269, [email protected] The choice of delivery method for nutrition education determines effectiveness of message impact. The objective of this project was to determine the cost effectiveness of a newsletter mailing. The Foodlinks newsletter was introduced in 2005 and mailed to a random sample of 1000 food stamp households in Connecticut. A questionnaire asking recipients how they liked the newsletter, what nutrition topics they would like addressed, and who was most likely to read it was attached. To encourage responses, a postage paid addressed return envelope and a small gift was included. A random sample of 158 of the original households was contacted by bilingual staff for a follow up phone survey. Total cost of the mailing was $5,224.00. Of the mailed newsletters, 9% were returned as undeliverable. Of the 913 delivered, 5% of the follow up surveys were completed by recipients and returned. Of the 158 phoned families, 24% completed a portion of the survey. Recipients had a very positive response or complete disinterest. By mailing the newsletter to all food stamp recipients, many uninterested families received the newsletter driving up the cost per actual reader. An attractive bilingual newsletter
S35
can be a cost effective way to reach food stamp recipients if the publication is targeted to those who are interested. Future issues of the newsletter will be provided through food stamp offices where individuals come to apply or renew food stamp benefits. This project was funded by the USDA/ FNS and the CT Department of Social Services.
P51 Adapting MyPyramid to Low-literacy Audiences Kathleen Manenica, MS, CN, Washington State University Extension, 7612 Pioneer Way E, Puyallup, WA 98371-4998, [email protected]; Jill Armstrong Shultz, PhD, Washington State University, 106 FSHN Building, Pullman, WA 99164, [email protected] USDA’s MyPyramid (MP) is a complex, abstract graphic model that is a challenge for educators to use to teach healthy food choices to low literacy audiences. This project (1) helped educators explain MP as the basis for a healthy diet, (2) identified a simple (easy-to-read) approach to teach the complex concepts of discretionary calories and nutrient density; and (3) developed simple teaching tools that help convey these concepts in a meaningful way in the classroom. USDA MyPyramid graphic was adapted to visually portray ‘hidden’ concepts of discretionary calories and nutrient density. A white gradient placed over the upper two-thirds of the food group bands visually represents decreased nutrient density and increased discretionary calories as one moves upward. Two horizontal lines divide the graphic into “Base” (raw, whole), Middle” (refined) and “Tip” (highly processed) foods, and identify relative amounts of fiber, fat, salt, and sugar found at each level. A table using the same color/gradient format gives general examples for each food group. A poster series isolates each food group (triangle) graphically and when used with food models provides students with an experiential process to identify and discuss appropriate levels to place a variety of foods. Pilot evaluation data will be available in spring 2006. These tools encourage more effective use of the MyPyramid graphic with a broader audience. The visual modifications increase understanding of ‘hidden’ concepts by both educators and low literacy audience. Funding was provided by WSU Extension and USDA Food Stamp Program.
P52 Deal Me In—Food, Fitness and Fun in the After School Setting Mary Anne Burkman, MPH, RD, Dairy Council of California, 80 Sway Way, Suite 210, Oakland, CA 94621, [email protected] With 30 percent of U.S. children and adolescents categorized as overweight or at risk of overweight, there could not be a more critical time to establish sound food and activity decision-making skills for this population. After school Continued on page S36