Latinos improve food habits through nutrition education

Murphy, S; Bresnick, S; Kaiser, L; Sutherlin, J; Yoshida, S

Latinos improve food habits through nutrition education

Authors

Suzanne P. Murphy
Stuart D. Bresnick
Lucia L. Kaiser
Jeanette M. Sutherlin
Sallie C. Yoshida

Authors Affiliations

S.P. Murphy is State EFNEP Coordinator; S.D. Bresnick is a Doctoral Student, both with the Department of Nutrition, UC Davis. The authors thank Save Mart Supermarket for its support of this study and specifically the Save Mart in Sanger, which was the site for the Fresno County pilot study and focus group discussions; L.L. Kaiser is Community Nutrition Specialist, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis; J.M. Sutherlin is Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science Advisor; S.C. Yoshida is Program Representative, both with UCCE Fresno County.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 52(4):32-35. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n04p32. July 1998.

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Abstract

Identifying the health concerns and barriers to change of diverse audiences is essential to successful nutrition interventions that reduce the risk of chronic disease. This article reports some of the current activities that the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is undertaking in California to assess the needs of Latino clients and to develop culturally appropriate tools to evaluate changes in food-related behaviors. Latinos in Fresno County reported a number of improvements in food-related behaviors after attending EFNEP nutrition classes, particularly in the areas of reducing fat intake, using a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, shopping wisely and thawing meat safely. Nutrition educators working with Latinos need to find new ways to reach more family members, possibly including classes that involve spouses, newsletters and Spanish radio programs.

References

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