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Impact Report
| For plan | KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Los Alamos County) |
| Date | October 31, 2011, 7:33 pm |
| For Objective | Short-term Show short-term objectives |
| Impact Report | Four major nutrition education and behavior efforts were conducted for the purpose of improving the health of Los Alamos County residents. Kitchen Creations, targets people living with diabetes and their families. It is a four-week series of education and hands-on food preparation. Through multiple community program offerings, the second effort, targets people living with diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. The third educational effort targets seniors participating in the meal program of the Los Alamos Senior and Retired Organization. Via lunch hour presentations, seniors are provided with education on ways to improve their nutritional health and well-being. The final educational effort involves families with limited incomes who participate in a community food distribution program. These families are provided with colorful, easy to ready educational materials covering topics of nutrition, food safety, food selection, buying and preparation. Kitchen Creations is a four week series targeting people living with diabetes. Each class provides diabetes management education, hands-on food preparation, and a sit-down dinner prepared by the participants. Twenty one individuals [1 participated. Class sessions included: The Food Guide Pyramid and the 50/50 Plate; Desserts and Carbohydrates; Vegetables, Grains and Beans; and Heart Healthy Cooking . Evaluation -- An open ended evaluation questionnaire was given at the end of each class session. If participants’ questionnaire comments indicated a need for further clarification or if there were additional questions, these were discussed at the next class. A final evaluation, conducted at the last class asked participants how participating in Kitchen Creations has helped them manage their diabetes. Of the fifteen responses, over 50% of participants measured food portions, eat at least 2 serving of whole grains per day, use more herbs and spices to flavor foods instead of salt and fat and read food labels to find the amount of carbohydrates in a serving. Funding for this program is provided by the New Mexico Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. In conjunction with the Los Alamos Heart two community educational programs were held in both Los Alamos and Española. “A Stroke Neurologist Talks About Stroke” was presented by a professor of neurology and neurosurgery from the University of New Mexico. The presentation focused on the risk factors for stoke and how to prevent it, what to do if you or a loved one is having a stroke and discussion on the new treatments for stroke. One hundred fifty six individuals attended the Los Alamos program. Sixty four people attended the Española program. The Cooperative Extension Service co-sponsored both programs. The home economist was responsible for publicity and speaker and registration logistics. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) were provided to nurses and allied health providers. For further outreach, the seminar was video-taped and CD’s are available for viewing at several locations including the public Library and Senior Center. A community program, Weaving Creativity into the Fabric of Healthcare seminar was held. Creativity experts and ovarian cancer survivor, articulated how creativity relates to their audience’s everyday lives and assures them success and wellness in the 21st century. A goal of the seminar was to have audience members come away with a feeling of inspiration, renewal and the confidence to make creativity a part of the fabric of their everyday lives. The Los Alamos Extension office co-sponsored the seminar. Sixty four community members attended the seminar. For further outreach, the seminar was video-taped and CD’s are available for viewing at several locations including the public Library and Senior Center. The home economist was responsible for publicity and speaker and registration logistics. Ten Tips for Living Well, a full page article, was written by the home economist for publication in The Essence for Los Alamos & White Rock. This quarterly publication celebrates people, places, businesses, organizations, and activities that are essential to life in the Los Alamos community. The article provided a countdown of ten tips that will improve a person’s well-being and health. Immune Boosters was a presentation given to ten seniors at the White Rock Senior Center. The program discussed the key nutrients beneficial for improving the immune system. The information was presented utilizing a Power-Point presentation prepared by the home economist. A handout was developed summarizing the key points of the presentation. The presentation was the regularly scheduled monthly program of the EANM and was open to the public. Canning and Freezing of Fruits and Vegetables were presented to the Los Alamos Master Gardeners at their October meeting. Fourteen people attended the program. The home economist utilized the “So Easy to Preserve” videos and a questions and answer session to teach the topic. Extension Food preservation handouts were made available for participants. The New Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), was a program provided to the Extension Association of Los Alamos. Eleven members and guests attended the program presented by a staff member of Los Alamos Medical Center, Cardio-Rehabilitation. The new CPR only uses chest compressions and does not require air exchanges. The home economist arranged for the speaker. Los Alamos Health Fair -- the home economist prepared a table display “To Drink or Not Drink” consisting of four learning stations – healthy drink station, juice station, serving size station and beverage session. The purpose of the display was to help participants learn about the sugar content of beverages and how to make wise drink choices. One hundred sixty six (166) people stopped to view the display, ask questions and/or pick-up educational materials. Quarterly lunch-hour presentations were presented to seniors from the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization. Healthy Eating for the Holidays was presented to forty two (42) seniors. The program illustrated how holiday foods high in fat and sugar can add up to a possible weight gain. Whole Grains – Battling Dangerous Belly Fat was given to fifty six (56). The program discussed some current research linking lower visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (belly fat) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) to people eating 3 or more servings of whole grains and who limited their intake of refined grains to less than one serving a day. Also presented was a discussion on twenty different whole grains, their health benefits, basic cooking directions and serving suggestions. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 – Part I presentation was given to forty three (43). 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the federal government's evidence-based nutritional guidance that promotes health, thus reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the newest (7th) edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 – Part II was given to sixty four (64). All four programs utilized a PowerPoint presentation and handout created by the home economist for participants as well as for homebound seniors participating in the meal delivery program. The Los Alamos Extension Service Home Economics Advisory committee made a recommendation to include easy-to-read nutrition educational materials in the food boxes distributed through the monthly LA Cares food distribution program. One page, double sided inserts were created by the home economist for this distribution. Twelve topics for inserts have been determined. Inserts distributed include: Vary Your Veggies; Focus on Fruits; Make Half your Grains Whole; Get Your Calcium-Rich Foods; Go Lean with Protein; Watch Your Fats, Sugars and Sodium; Vegetable of the Month—Eggplant; What Should You Be Drinking? Water, Milk, Juice; and Balance What You Eat with Physical Activity. Additionally, one month the food distribution program had large amounts of cabbage to distribute. To encourage participants to take and use this commodity, the home economist prepared an additional insert, Vegetable of the Month—Cabbage to provide to people taking this vegetable. Inserts include information on what makes a serving for each of the different food groups, tips on buying, serving and preparing foods, as well as easy to make recipes that include food items typically provided in the food boxes. Approximately 90 families receive food boxes with average participation of 283 individuals being serviced. All participants are very low income (below 50% of median income). |