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Impact Report

For plan KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Torrance County)
Date November 2, 2011, 4:10 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report ICAN Program The Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition Program in Torrance County reached a new level for the 2010-2011 year. A KidsCAN Pilot Program was developed and implemented at Estancia Elementary School. The idea of the school based program is to encourage families and students to adopt behaviors that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for American and MyPyramid/MyPlate, communicate behavioral and motivational nutrition education and physical activity messages to children, foster positive behavior change to promote nutrition and health, and reduce the risk for obesity and chronic diseases. The pilot program has been funded by USDA Food & Nutrition Services SNAP-Ed Program in collaboration with the New Mexico Human Services Department and the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition Program (ICAN). The pilot program offered a wide variety of age appropriate lessons, activities and hands-on food preparation experiences. Under the supervision of the Torrance County Home Economist, along with a one staff Extension Educator that serves as the ICAN Nutrition Educator in Torrance County. The Home Economist partnered with the state ICAN Coordinator and the Estancia Elementary Principal to initiate the pilot program. A memorandum of agreement was established between the State ICAN office, the Torrance County CES office and the Estancia School District. The school provided a classroom that is completely devoted to the KidsCAN program. The classroom contains 4 large working stations, white and black board, bulletin board, and a demonstration station. The students attending Estancia Elementary grades Kindergarten through 6th had the chance to attend the KidsCAN classroom on a weekly basis. The class rotation was set up as part of the school activity block schedule so that each classroom was participating in nutrition lessons every week. The Home Economist organized and scheduled a huge kickoff event for the entire elementary school to attend. The Food Play Productions was brought to the school and performed an interactive educational routine consisting of nutritional information. The youth learned about the importance of choosing healthy foods, eating breakfast, and the importance of physical activity. Nutrition lessons were taught beginning from January 2010 through May 2010. A total of 465 students participated in the KidsCAN program. The students were issued pre tests and post test to determine their understanding and awareness of the nutrition lessons provided by the educator. “I have enjoyed the KidsCAN class because it makes me aware of what nutrition choices I make”, stated an elementary teacher. The KidsCAN program was highlighted in the school newsletter each month. Recipes and parent letters were also sent home with the students to share with parents about the knowledge and skills they had obtained by attending the KidsCAN classes. The weekly nutrition education is the key component for the success of the pilot program, so that the youth are understanding and constantly reminded about the importance of a nutritious lifestyle. The youth are recognizing and relating what they have learned in the classroom to their food choices outside of school. A second grade student pointed out to his parents the food guide pyramid while dining out at a restaurant and explaining to them how it worked. This is the type of impact this program is making on the students at Estancia Elementary. The pilot program will continue for one more year and hopefully set precedence for the entire state to follow.