KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Quay County)

Offered two classes of Keep Moving Keep Healthy with Diabetes. This program provides participants with screenings, pedometers, and Exercise DVD’s. During the program participants are asked to set their personal exercise goals. At the end of 3 months the screenings are redone and results sent into to Las Cruces for evaluation.

The first class started with 9 people and had 6 complete, in addition to improved screening scores participants reported that their blood sugars were improved and some had lost pounds and inches. One lady reported that she was able to get in and out of the tub easier after doing the exercises. This class was started before the cooking school and used as a recruitment tool for the school.

The second class started as a result of those people who were in the cooking school and first class, talking about how much it has helped them. There were 7 people in the second class but only two completed the final testing. We did learn that one participant passed away prior to the third session. One participant benefitted greatly from the program. She was suffering from complications from knee surgery which made her scared to exercise. She could hardly walk when she started. She started with the exercise tapes while sitting in her chair. Throughout the 3 months she was able to move better and started walking for exercise on the nice days. She lost two inches but no pounds.

Arranged for Dr. Turner to present a program on the importance of calcium during the Ag and Home Ec Seminar. Twelve people attended and learned ways to get calcium in their diet and why they need to have Vitamin D and exercise to make it all work.

Fourteen people participated in the Annual Kitchen Creations Cooking School held in February. Participants gained knowledge on meal planning and learned to cook foods in different ways. Many even tried new foods. Stir-frying is a new concept to many families and is a healthy way of preparing meals. Many expressed gratitude for the class. Most reported that their blood sugar was lower due to using the information in the class.

To support our clientele with diabetes, a quarterly newsletter was developed last year with helpful tips, recipes, and a balanced menu example. Four issues of this newsletter were developed during this reporting period. Agent has received complements from Nurse Practitioners and one new Physician in the community about the newsletters and they are encouraging their patients to sign up for it. Currently there are 142 on the mailing list.

Cooking for You or Two and Getting More Fiber in Your Diet were programs provided to the 5 Extension Clubs. Participants learned tips for reducing the number of servings of favorite recipes and ideas for easy nutritious meals. The program also discussed other ideas for people who are alone, such as dinner clubs or just having friends over. The importance of fiber for the health of our bodies was discussed as participants learned good sources of fiber and the benefits from the different kinds of fiber. Approximately 75 people participated in these programs