Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior (Rio Arriba County)

Plan Goal

Improve the health of the citizens of Rio Arriba County through healthy food choices, food preparation skills, and food resource management.

Situation Statement

Good nutrition is essential to improve and maintain health. Five of the leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and hypertension have links to diet. Obesity and overweight now affects 57% of New Mexico adults. These individuals are at increased risk of illness from hypertension, lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and certain cancers. New Mexico has one of the highest rates of poverty in the nation with 18.4% of New Mexicans living below poverty (US Bureau of the Census, 2000).
Low income populations face numerous problems associated with inadequate nutrition.
In some cases, children do not eat enough to sustain health and to grow and develop at optimal levels. Even more commonly, individuals make poor food choices, which can lead to chronic disease problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Education can help low income families and individuals maximize their resources to improve their nutritional status.
Youth as well as adults should be targeted so nutrition related disease and obesity can be prevented. In New Mexico, 24% of high school students are overweight or at risk for overweight and 22% of low-income children between 2-5 years of age who participate in federally-funded nutrition programs are overweight or at risk for overweight (New Mexico Department of Health). Approximately 25% of New Mexico children below the age of 18 live in poverty. This number has grown over the last 10 years. Reaching New Mexico youth early in life with effective nutrition education will promote the adoption of healthy eating and food management practices. Establishing healthy habits early in life can have life long benefits in optimal health and disease prevention.
Diabetes: Of the leading chronic diseases, diabetes is a particular concern in New Mexico. About 130,000 of New Mexicans have diabetes, although half are undiagnosed and do not know they have the disease. Native Americans are three times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and Hispanics are two times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. If left untreated and uncontrolled, diabetes can result in serious complications: blindness, amputations, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease and death. In 2002, the direct and indirect costs of diabetes in New Mexico was approximately $1 billion, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be controlled and complications can be prevented or at least delayed. Simple changes, such as healthier food choices and adding regular physical activity can have a significant effect on the health and well-being of people with diabetes. Extension has long taught these principles to the general population. Because of the current collaboration between Extension, New Mexico Department of Health’s Diabetes Control Program and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Extension can effectively reach those New Mexicans with or at risk for diabetes.

Target Audience and Actions

Rio Arriba County residents including individuals, families, youth, seniors, and the general public will be reached through general nutrition, food safety, and healthy lifestyle presentations, workshops, news articles, and newsletters.

Short-Term Objectives

In general health 80% of participants will increase knowledge of MyPyramid, Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Facts Labels, healthy food choices, food resource management, and importance of physical activity

In Diabetes populations, 80% of participants will increase knowledge of Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid and 50/50 method, 80% of participants will increase knowledge of medical tests important for diabetes management.

In all populations at least 50% of participants will plan to use MyPyramid, Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Facts Labels to make food choices and plan meals.
50% will plan to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and plan to control portion sizes.
At least 50% of participants will plan to adopt new food preparation and meal planning techniques.

60% of participants will plan to use the Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid and 50/50 method.
60% of participants will plan to get medical tests important for diabetes management.
80% of participants will plan to increase physical activity

Medium-Term Objectives

40% of participants will use MyPyramid, Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Facts Labels to make food choices and plan meals one month after program participation.
40% of participants will increase fruit and vegetable consumption one month after
program participation.
40% of participants will control portion sizes one month after program participation.
40% of participants will adopt new food preparation and meal planning techniques one month after program participation.
40% of participants will adopt new food resource management techniques one month after program participation.
40% of participants will use the Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid and 50/50 method.
40% of participants will get medical tests important for diabetes management.
40% of participants will increase physical activity

Long-Term Objectives

30% of participants will sustain adopted practices 3 years after program completion.
30% of participants will decrease their rates of chronic disease (obesity, cancer, heart disease).

Evaluation Plan

Participant knowledge and behavior surveys, diet records and activity logs for short and medium term objectives.