- Email: [email protected]
Survey to Determine Training and Resource Needs of Local School Wellness Policy Stakeholders in Illinois
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
POSTER SESSION: WELLNESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH Title: SURVEY TO DETERMINE TRAINING AND RESOURCE NEEDS OF LOCAL SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY STAKEHOLDERS IN ILLINOIS Author(s): D. Rees,1 L. Novotny2; 1Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program, Sycamore, IL, 2Public Opinion Laboratory, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL Learning Outcome: The participant will identify top priority training and resource needs for school wellness policy stakeholders.
Text: A randomized, statewide survey (n⫽ 716) of school foodservice staff, local wellness policy leaders and classroom nutrition educators from schools participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs was conducted in spring 2007 to assess progress and barriers to local wellness policy implementation, and training/resource needs. The sample represents 544 school districts of diverse size and region. Eighttwo percent of respondents said their district had adopted a wellness policy and 66% reported procedures to put the policy into action. The majority reported having nutrition guidelines for reimbursable meals, physical activity goals and nutrition education goals; 67% reported guidelines for food available outside of school meals and 42% reported a plan for measuring implementation. The most significant barriers to implementing policy were lack of monetary resources (52%) and lack of time and coordination (43%). Fifty-two percent indicated at least one school staff member had attended a training session regarding wellness policies. Respondents preferred a website (49%), electronic newsletter (48%), print newsletter (43%) and a two-hour/onsite/no cost training (55%) for future dissemination of wellness policy information. Over three-quarters of respondents indicated a moderate, high or absolute need for training and resources to raise parent/community awareness of local wellness policy and training for school staff on local wellness policy. Sixty-three percent of 108 school foodservice staff completing the foodservice questionnaire reported they reinforce nutrition education in the cafeteria and 19% work with teachers to reinforce classroom lessons. Dietetics professionals and health educators can use the survey findings to develop programs that address identified needs. Funding Disclosure: USDA State Agency Local Wellness Policy Training Grant
Title: ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION AND ITS CORRELATES IN URBAN HISPANIC WOMEN Author(s): S. Zagorin,1 C. C. Tangney,2 E. Pimentel,2 K. S. Keim2; 1 Nutrition, Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, 2Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL Learning Outcome: To identify what resources or facilities are important facilitators to adoption of healthy activity patterns especially amongst Hispanic women. Text: Background: In 2002, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) for Illinois noted that Hispanic women are among the most sedentary. Objective: To determine 1) prevalence of physical activity and; 2) correlates or barriers to participation in physical activity of Hispanic women in Pilsen. Methods: Using a modification of the BRFSS and US Women’s Determinants Study questionnaires, demographics and physical activity behaviors and correlates1 were evaluated in a convenience sample of 105 urban Hispanic women aged 18 to 50 years. Results: Exactly 93% of respondents completed the tool in Spanish. Approximately 60% of women were either overweight or obese, 60% had 12 years of education or less, 98% were employed, and 70% made ⬎$20,000 per year. Forty percent of the women met physical activity recommendations by participating most often in usual daily activities, such as walking to places in one’s neighborhood (48%) and performing occupational tasks (50%). Women who used public parks in their community were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations (OR ⫽ 3.35, 95% CI: 1.33-8.48). Use of community pools was also predictive meeting activity recommendations (OR ⫽ 6.00, 95% CI: 1.1630.90). Most survey items manifested moderate test-retest reliability coefficients, when completed (n⫽17) twice approximately one month apart. Lack of time was perceived as a barrier to physical activity by many (48 %) participants. Conclusion: Providing greater access to facilities and teaching time management skills may foster greater participation in leisure-time activities for Hispanic women. 1 includes acculturation, physical/social environment, and personal correlates. Funding Disclosure: None
Title: A COMPARISON OF 4TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN 27 INDIANA SCHOOLS REGARDING THEIR PERCEIVED NEED TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DAILY TO BE HEALTHY
Title: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVE LEARNING HEALTH FAIRS AS A TOOL FOR DIETETIC ASSOCIATIONS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION/HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS
Author(s): C. E. Shepherd,1 L. M. Graves,2 E. B. Foland,2 M. L. Goodman,1 K. M. Morris,1 J. Z. Ali,1 J. A. Shertzer,1 A. D. Fly1; 1 Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 2Division of School and Community Nutrition Programs, Indiana Department of Education, Indianapolis, IN
Author(s): D. L. McGuire,1 D. P. Williams,2 N. K. Christensen3; 1 Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 2Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 3 Nutrition and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Learning Outcome: Participants will learn that many 4th-12th grade students do not perceive eating fruits and vegetables daily is important for health, and will be able to name at least two personal factors related to this perception. Text: National data show youth consume inadequate fruits and vegetables (FV). This study evaluated perceptions of the need to eat FV daily to be healthy (Need-to-Eat DFV) among students from 27 Indiana schools. Data were collected (Fall 2007) using self-administered questionnaires from 4th12th graders (n⫽6248; 91% response rate). Responses to Need-to-Eat DFV questions were “yes,” “no,” and “I don’t know.” Before analysis, “no” and “I don’t know” responses were grouped. Age, gender, ethnicity, race, and meal patterns were compared to Need-to-Eat DFV using Chi-square with Bonferroni adjustment of post-hoc comparisons. FV intake was compared to Need-to-Eat DFV using ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD. Over one-third of students did not respond that eating fruits (36.1%) or vegetables (39.7%) daily was necessary for health. Compared to 4-6th graders, 9th-12th graders were less likely to perceive a need to eat daily fruits for health (p⬍.001), but had similar perceptions of the need to eat daily vegetables for health (p⫽.06). Students who perceived Need-to-Eat DFV reported higher intake of FV, were more frequently female, ate breakfast and lunch, intended to eat 2 cups fruit and 3 cups vegetables/day and consume fewer chips, pastries, candy, and soda compared to students responding “no/I don’t know” (all p⬍.001) with no differences for race or ethnicity (all p⬎.05). Many of these Indiana students do not agree or are uncertain that FV need to be consumed daily for health. This belief is related to lower FV intake, thus interventions should target students’ belief structure to improve FV consumption. Funding Disclosure: None
A-88 / September 2008 Suppl 3—Abstracts Volume 108 Number 9
Learning Outcome: To understand how dietetic associations can utilize active learning in health fairs to educate and motivate consumers to improve nutrition/health knowledge and behaviors. Text: The issue of obesity/overweight is now the most prevalent nutritional disease in both the United States and the State of Utah. The objective of this study was to determine if dietetic associations can use health fairs as an effective environment for motivating clients to improve nutrition/health knowledge and behaviors. Three components were utilized: screening, knowledge, and active learning using measures of body mass index, percent body fat, and metabolic rate. Utah Dietetic Association members provided brief personal assessment of measures, followed by counseling. Seventy-six participants at three health fairs completed the booth activities and evaluations. A pre-post retrospective survey assessed changes in knowledge and intent to change behavior. Paired t-test and analysis of variance were performed. Nine independent variables were measured pre-post, all variables showed a significant difference with slight but insignificant variances among the health fair sites. Overall pre knowledge scores increased from a mean of 13.18 ⫹/⫺ 6.52 (out of 30) to an overall post knowledge score of 23.49 ⫹/⫺ 5.81 (p⫽0.000). Overall intent to change behavior increased from a pre mean of 10.03 ⫹/⫺ 3.74 (out of 15) to a post mean of 12.4 ⫹/⫺ 2.69 (p⫽0.000). Researchers concluded that dietetic associations should consider health fairs as a potential avenue for providing nutrition education and motivating clients to change when screening, knowledge and active learning are combined. Funding Disclosure: Grant provided by the Utah Attorney General’s Office directed towards nutrition education of the public.
POSTER SESSION: WELLNESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH Title: SURVEY TO DETERMINE TRAINING AND RESOURCE NEEDS OF LOCAL SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY STAKEHOLDERS IN ILLINOIS Author(s): D. Rees,1 L. Novotny2; 1Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program, Sycamore, IL, 2Public Opinion Laboratory, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL Learning Outcome: The participant will identify top priority training and resource needs for school wellness policy stakeholders.
Text: A randomized, statewide survey (n⫽ 716) of school foodservice staff, local wellness policy leaders and classroom nutrition educators from schools participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs was conducted in spring 2007 to assess progress and barriers to local wellness policy implementation, and training/resource needs. The sample represents 544 school districts of diverse size and region. Eighttwo percent of respondents said their district had adopted a wellness policy and 66% reported procedures to put the policy into action. The majority reported having nutrition guidelines for reimbursable meals, physical activity goals and nutrition education goals; 67% reported guidelines for food available outside of school meals and 42% reported a plan for measuring implementation. The most significant barriers to implementing policy were lack of monetary resources (52%) and lack of time and coordination (43%). Fifty-two percent indicated at least one school staff member had attended a training session regarding wellness policies. Respondents preferred a website (49%), electronic newsletter (48%), print newsletter (43%) and a two-hour/onsite/no cost training (55%) for future dissemination of wellness policy information. Over three-quarters of respondents indicated a moderate, high or absolute need for training and resources to raise parent/community awareness of local wellness policy and training for school staff on local wellness policy. Sixty-three percent of 108 school foodservice staff completing the foodservice questionnaire reported they reinforce nutrition education in the cafeteria and 19% work with teachers to reinforce classroom lessons. Dietetics professionals and health educators can use the survey findings to develop programs that address identified needs. Funding Disclosure: USDA State Agency Local Wellness Policy Training Grant
Title: ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION AND ITS CORRELATES IN URBAN HISPANIC WOMEN Author(s): S. Zagorin,1 C. C. Tangney,2 E. Pimentel,2 K. S. Keim2; 1 Nutrition, Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, 2Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL Learning Outcome: To identify what resources or facilities are important facilitators to adoption of healthy activity patterns especially amongst Hispanic women. Text: Background: In 2002, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) for Illinois noted that Hispanic women are among the most sedentary. Objective: To determine 1) prevalence of physical activity and; 2) correlates or barriers to participation in physical activity of Hispanic women in Pilsen. Methods: Using a modification of the BRFSS and US Women’s Determinants Study questionnaires, demographics and physical activity behaviors and correlates1 were evaluated in a convenience sample of 105 urban Hispanic women aged 18 to 50 years. Results: Exactly 93% of respondents completed the tool in Spanish. Approximately 60% of women were either overweight or obese, 60% had 12 years of education or less, 98% were employed, and 70% made ⬎$20,000 per year. Forty percent of the women met physical activity recommendations by participating most often in usual daily activities, such as walking to places in one’s neighborhood (48%) and performing occupational tasks (50%). Women who used public parks in their community were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations (OR ⫽ 3.35, 95% CI: 1.33-8.48). Use of community pools was also predictive meeting activity recommendations (OR ⫽ 6.00, 95% CI: 1.1630.90). Most survey items manifested moderate test-retest reliability coefficients, when completed (n⫽17) twice approximately one month apart. Lack of time was perceived as a barrier to physical activity by many (48 %) participants. Conclusion: Providing greater access to facilities and teaching time management skills may foster greater participation in leisure-time activities for Hispanic women. 1 includes acculturation, physical/social environment, and personal correlates. Funding Disclosure: None
Title: A COMPARISON OF 4TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN 27 INDIANA SCHOOLS REGARDING THEIR PERCEIVED NEED TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DAILY TO BE HEALTHY
Title: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVE LEARNING HEALTH FAIRS AS A TOOL FOR DIETETIC ASSOCIATIONS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION/HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS
Author(s): C. E. Shepherd,1 L. M. Graves,2 E. B. Foland,2 M. L. Goodman,1 K. M. Morris,1 J. Z. Ali,1 J. A. Shertzer,1 A. D. Fly1; 1 Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 2Division of School and Community Nutrition Programs, Indiana Department of Education, Indianapolis, IN
Author(s): D. L. McGuire,1 D. P. Williams,2 N. K. Christensen3; 1 Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 2Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 3 Nutrition and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Learning Outcome: Participants will learn that many 4th-12th grade students do not perceive eating fruits and vegetables daily is important for health, and will be able to name at least two personal factors related to this perception. Text: National data show youth consume inadequate fruits and vegetables (FV). This study evaluated perceptions of the need to eat FV daily to be healthy (Need-to-Eat DFV) among students from 27 Indiana schools. Data were collected (Fall 2007) using self-administered questionnaires from 4th12th graders (n⫽6248; 91% response rate). Responses to Need-to-Eat DFV questions were “yes,” “no,” and “I don’t know.” Before analysis, “no” and “I don’t know” responses were grouped. Age, gender, ethnicity, race, and meal patterns were compared to Need-to-Eat DFV using Chi-square with Bonferroni adjustment of post-hoc comparisons. FV intake was compared to Need-to-Eat DFV using ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD. Over one-third of students did not respond that eating fruits (36.1%) or vegetables (39.7%) daily was necessary for health. Compared to 4-6th graders, 9th-12th graders were less likely to perceive a need to eat daily fruits for health (p⬍.001), but had similar perceptions of the need to eat daily vegetables for health (p⫽.06). Students who perceived Need-to-Eat DFV reported higher intake of FV, were more frequently female, ate breakfast and lunch, intended to eat 2 cups fruit and 3 cups vegetables/day and consume fewer chips, pastries, candy, and soda compared to students responding “no/I don’t know” (all p⬍.001) with no differences for race or ethnicity (all p⬎.05). Many of these Indiana students do not agree or are uncertain that FV need to be consumed daily for health. This belief is related to lower FV intake, thus interventions should target students’ belief structure to improve FV consumption. Funding Disclosure: None
A-88 / September 2008 Suppl 3—Abstracts Volume 108 Number 9
Learning Outcome: To understand how dietetic associations can utilize active learning in health fairs to educate and motivate consumers to improve nutrition/health knowledge and behaviors. Text: The issue of obesity/overweight is now the most prevalent nutritional disease in both the United States and the State of Utah. The objective of this study was to determine if dietetic associations can use health fairs as an effective environment for motivating clients to improve nutrition/health knowledge and behaviors. Three components were utilized: screening, knowledge, and active learning using measures of body mass index, percent body fat, and metabolic rate. Utah Dietetic Association members provided brief personal assessment of measures, followed by counseling. Seventy-six participants at three health fairs completed the booth activities and evaluations. A pre-post retrospective survey assessed changes in knowledge and intent to change behavior. Paired t-test and analysis of variance were performed. Nine independent variables were measured pre-post, all variables showed a significant difference with slight but insignificant variances among the health fair sites. Overall pre knowledge scores increased from a mean of 13.18 ⫹/⫺ 6.52 (out of 30) to an overall post knowledge score of 23.49 ⫹/⫺ 5.81 (p⫽0.000). Overall intent to change behavior increased from a pre mean of 10.03 ⫹/⫺ 3.74 (out of 15) to a post mean of 12.4 ⫹/⫺ 2.69 (p⫽0.000). Researchers concluded that dietetic associations should consider health fairs as a potential avenue for providing nutrition education and motivating clients to change when screening, knowledge and active learning are combined. Funding Disclosure: Grant provided by the Utah Attorney General’s Office directed towards nutrition education of the public.