KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Bernalillo County)

Kitchen Creation;
In New Mexico, an estimated 170,000 people have diabetes. In the 2010 census Bernalillo County had 643,000 residents or around 1/3 of New Mexico’s population. Type two diabetes is a huge medical problem in Bernalillo County and there is a need for research based educational programs to help the adults who deal with type two diabetes. Kitchen Creation is 4 part cooking school for diabetics and their families which is an ACES program funded by NM Department of Health. There is a large demand in Bernalillo County for this program but the DOH funding has been cut significantly allowing each county funding for only one Kitchen Creation class. Bernalillo County Extension considered this program important enough for the county residents that county funds were spent for the additional 4 classes taught in Albuquerque. During the program year of Oct. 2010 to Sept. 2011 the Home Economist organized and co-taught (with a registered dietitian) 5 Kitchen Creation classes reaching some 117 people dealing with diabetes in Bernalillo County. The evaluations are available upon request and NMSU ACES does collected data on Kitchen Creations classes throughout the state. Every year more health professionals in the diabetes field refer more patients to the NMSU Kitchen Creation program. On many levels the Home Economist who runs Kitchen Creation collaborates with state agencies, local medical personnel and the University of New Mexico. In addition to the 4 week Kitchen Creation class the home economist has done numerous one to two hour sessions on diabetes education with seniors and developmentally delayed individuals. Kitchen Creation reaches many people (directly and indirectly) each year and has the huge positive impact in the diabetic community

There is a growing population in Bernalillo County with Gluten intolerance. After months of answering cooking questions from people with gluten issues the Home Economist offered a gluten free baking class. The class was well attended and several requests for additional classes were made. This is a new audience for Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension and much time has gone into research and shared information with this group of people.
The Home Economist had some requests to hold a class on Bread making class. In June a 2 part class was held “Making Jam and Bread” combining food preservation and baking. A second bread making class was held later in the summer. Both classes were well attended.

Keep Moving Keep Healthy Diabetes Fitness program is an ACES grant from Joslin Diabetes Center with the goal of promoting physical activity to the diabetic population. The Home Economist offered KMKH in Bernalillo County in January through April of 2010. The three class program began with 19 participants and ended with 11. The program requires medical tests to be administered on sight for the data collection and was very medical by design. KMKH required many community volunteers to do the medical testing and motivated participants to do the exercises for the duration of the class.

The Super Fit Family Challenge is a collaborative effort in Albuquerque with the nutrition education teams from the Albuquerque Public Schools, The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Albuquerque and University of New Mexico pediatrics and dietitians working on childhood obesity issues, Albuquerque Community Centers and Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension urban 4H and Home Economics. The 8 week evening program is designed to reach families with children who are at risk of becoming or are obese with a message of healthy eating and activity for the entire family. The Home Economist has been a part of this effort since it began here in 2008. The fall of 2009 the SFFC was held at the ABQ Jewish Community Center in the far north east heights with 5 families completing course and at Martinez Town Community Center in the spring of 2010 with 11 families participating in the program. The Home Economist provided lessons for the parents; Feeding your Family Healthy on a Budget and Meal Planning as well as helping the urban 4H agent children’s cooking lessons. The Home Economist meets regularly with the planning group and has often contacted ACES personnel who have offered this program in Las Cruces.

ICAN and EFNEP training is a regular part of the Home Economists job and several trainings have been given to the Bernalillo County nutrition educators throughout the year at their weekly meetings. Some of the topics covered have been; Healthy Breakfast ideas, Holiday Food Safety, Children Obesity, Understanding Fat in the diet, Osteoporosis, adding Exercise to healthy eating for a healthy lifestyle. These training topics come as requests from the ICAN educators and as nutrition topics are brought to her attention. The Home Economist assists individual educators throughout the year as nutrition topics arise.