KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior

Eight families came to the Extension Office for one on one training 50/50 plate and Meal Planning Basics. Publications were provided to an additional 10 families.

Four workshops were offered twice for people with diabetes and their families. The workshops were Healthy Eating on the Run, Smart Shopping Tips, Exercise and the Diabetic, and Healthy Eating for the Holidays. Participants learned tips to help them eat better and keep their blood sugar in control. Nine people attended

The Josilin, On The Road To Living Well With Diabetes was offered eight times and eight follow up program were offered. All participants who had not attended a follow up program were sent letters inviting them to a program. During the 06/07 year 5 new participants attended and 1 of those returned for follow up. Two returned for follow up from the 05/07 program year. Some showed some minor improvements. The Joslin program focuses on 5 tests, 4 of which are provided during the program. Participants learn about what the tests mean and how to improve their test results. The tests provided are blood pressure, A1C, Microalbumin, and LDL cholesterol.

Proposed Training of Lifestyle Blance Facilitators and Coaches.
This project is being proposed and supported by Health Promotion Disease Prevention. Pat Sheely GMIC (Gallup Indian Medical Center)Diatician, and Mildred lincoln, Alvera Enote trainers from GIMC are currently the only trainers. Elena Bowers has been identified as a candidate for the LBS Training Program. Elena has worked with Pat Sheely for the past three years presenting Nutrition Education, Kitchen Creations and Lean 'n Easy Low Fat Cooking for the Diabetes Prevention students at UNM. Pat and Elena also think that is would be advantageous for the McKinley County Extension Nutrition Educators to attend and assist with the training since they also work with GIMC. This colloberative effort will allow more trainings to run simultaneously at different locations in Galllup and on the Navajo Reservation. Lifestyle Balance is a successful weight loss and exercise program that can prevent diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Presently they are able to present the program twice a year. The goal is to meet the needs of more people by training facilitators and coaches who will present the program in various settings. Examples are a group of post gestational diabetes mothers and parents of overweight and obese children. Since there are currently only two programs a year there is a great need to have classes starting more frequently. We are proposing that participants of the LBS training Program meet weekly for 2 1/2 hours (2:30-5:00p.m.) from January to May. The participants would experience the LSB 16 week curriculum, record keeping, fat gram counting, and exercise goals that people in the program experience. In addition participants would learn about readiness to change, motivational interviewing and learning styles in order for them to be effective coaches. A large portion of the meeting time would be spent in discussion and role-playing. This will abe an interactive and hands-on learning experience that prepares the participant to begin and execute the Lifestyle Blance Program with a group of people. The result of this training would be to present the LSB Program to a group of 10-15 people. Who to target, how to recruit participants, and the organizing of the program would be addressed during the training program. Clerical and data support services would be provided by HPDP so that the facilitator/coach could concentrate their time on teaching and meeting their group. It is expected that this would take 4 to 6 hours per week. GIMC and Ces staff are striving to ensure a healthier community.

School District Wellness Policy Healthy and Safe Environment Component.....
The existing membership, agency partnerships, and expertise of the current Health & Fitness Committee continues to meet and be utilized as an interim committee to create and support a total learning experience that promotes personal growth, healthy interpersonal relationships, wellness and freedom from discrimination and abuse. Areas being covered are nutrition, physical activity, and health education K-12 for McKinley County Public Schools. Goal for committee is to align health education curriculum to the health education content standards with benchmarks and performance standards for implementation in the 2006-07 school year. suggested activities from the GMCS Wellness Council are to utilize a health education model that is integrated into various classroom curricula, i.e.: Eat Smart Play Hard, Cooking With Kids, Team Nutrition, Food Safety, Physical Education, and Diabetes Prevention. All PED is to be accomplished by May of 2007.