Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles

Summary

It is an interesting paradox that childhood obesity and hunger can exist simultaneously in communities with high poverty rates. Terrell County, Georgia is the embodiment of that seemingly inconsistent truth. As community partners with a common vision of addressing health disparities in this community have discussed health strategies, it seems apparent that health and nutrition education is one possible approach in addressing childhood dietary issues.

Situation

The 4-H staff in our office wanted to help address childhood nutrition issues in our community.

Response

During the 2015-16 school year, we deliberately selected curriculum for our 4th and 5th grade 4-H school club meetings that would help to teach the children basic nutrition. We chose to use the Friends Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles publication for our curriculum.

Impact

After the Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles curriculum was presented, we conducted two surveys with the students. The first survey was conducted immediately after teaching the lessons and was designed to measure how well the students retained the information and to measure the students' food preferences. The second survey was conducted a month later as part of the end-of-the-year program evaluation. That survey was designed to measure retention of information and change in behavior. A total of 209 4th and 5th grade 4-H'ers were present when the Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles curriculum was taught and all participated in the first survey at the end of the lesson. The results indicated a high rate of short-term retention of the information presented. For example, 93.7% correctly answered that children should be physically active 60 minutes or more a day. 84.6% of the students correctly answered that children should consume 3 servings of milk or other dairy products a day. Also, 88% of the 4-H'ers surveyed correctly answered that children should eat 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables each day. The 4-H'ers were also presented with a list of 8 fruits and 8 vegetables commonly presented in their school lunch menus and were asked to circle all that appealed to them. 71.7% circled 6 or more fruits, while only 27.7% circled 6 or more vegetables. Our 4-H staff surveyed 253 4th and 5th grade 4-H'ers during the end-of-the-year program evaluation. The results reflected a moderate rate of retention of the information. Although 52.5% remembered the recommended number of servings of vegetables per day, only 39% accurately recalled the recommended number of servings of fruit per day. 41.5% recalled the suggested number of servings of milk and dairy products per day. 68.7% correctly answered that children should be physically active 60 minute or more per day. Finally, the survey showed that 84% reported that they now eat more fruits and vegetables and 90.5% reported that they now play or exercise more often.

State Issue

Food, Nutrition and Health

Details

• Year: 2016
• Geographic Scope: County
• County: Terrell
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth