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Impact Report

For plan KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Doña Ana County)
Date October 12, 2008, 6:31 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report DIABETES EDUCATION Diabetes is a particular concern in Dona Ana County. In 2004 the estimated diabetes prevalence among Dona Ana County adults was 13,192 or 9.8% of the population. In New Mexico in 2003, diabetes was the 6th leading cause of death. If left untreated and uncontrolled, diabetes can result in serious complications such as blindness, amputation, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease and death. Diabetes can be controlled and complications can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes such as healthier food choices and regular physical activity. Dona Ana County ICAN program can effectively reach those Dona Ana County residents with or at risk for diabetes using The Healthy Kitchen and Kitchen Creations curriculum. KITCHEN CREATIONS DIABETES COOKING SCHOOLS: Two Kitchen Creations Diabetes Cooking Schools taught in Spanish were provided to the residents of southern Dona Ana County during the 2007-08 year. The Healthy Mexican Cooking cookbook , the Kitchen Creations workbook, and the New Mexico Diabetes Cookbook were materials given to each participant. Since we were unable to find a facility with multiple kitchens in the Hatch area, the residents of northern Dona Ana County will be invited to the Kitchen Creations Cooking School to be held in Truth or Consequences during the 2008-09 year. Our first Kitchen Creations Cooking school was held at the Chaparral Middle School in Chaparral during the four consecutive Saturday mornings in February 2008. An average of 21 individuals with diabetes or who had family members with diabetes attended this series of classes. All the participants marked Hispanic as their ethnic group. ALL of the participants attending the Chaparral Diabetes Cooking School that completed the program evaluation at the conclusion of session four, checked the “I read food labels to find the amount of carbohydrates in a serving”. Sixty-three percent of the evaluations showed the participants “Using more herbs and spices to flavor foods instead of salt and fat”. Fifty percent of the evaluations showed the participants “Using the 50/50 method to control the amount of carbohydrates I eat in a meal”; “Measuring food portions”; and, “Eating at least 2 servings of whole grains per day”. A typical response on the Comments form was, “I enjoyed today’s class because we cooked some familiar foods and we learned how easy it is to change a couple of things to make it healthy and not lose flavor”. The second Kitchen Creations Cooking School was taught at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church fellowship hall in Anthony. The dates for the school were Saturday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26th. Average attendance was 23 individuals with two individuals marking white (non-Hispanic) as their ethnic group and the remainder checking Hispanic (white). This was our second year in a row to offer Kitchen Creations at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Anthony is centrally located in the southern part of Dona Ana County and has the largest population for that area. Again this year, the evaluation sheets were positive and another class in Anthony was requested for the following year. THE HEALTHY KITCHEN diabetes class series was taught in San Miguel. Classes started on June 10, 2008, and ended on July 29 for a total of 8 sessions. Sixteen persons attended the Healthy Kitchen classes. Some of the results and comments from the participants were: “Started eating healthier, by eliminating salt and using more seasoning in foods to give flavor, also how to balance foods”. One woman mentioned that when she balanced the low and high carbohydrates in her meals she noticed a positive difference in just a week. She could wear a jacket that did not fit in the past. She was very excited. Another person began watching her weight and is planning to share with others what she has been learning. Diabetes education and cooking schools continue to one of the most requested series of classes we offer.