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INVESTIGATOR: White, J. M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
P.O. Box 519, MS 2001
PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS 77446

BUILDING CAPACITY WITHIN EXTENSION TO ENHANCE NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM DELIVERY AMONG UNDERSERVED POPULATION/COMMUNITY

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Obesity is a serious public health problem. Prevalence of obesity and diabetes are higher among low-income minority populations compared to Whites. Because overweight children are likely to remain overweight as adults, primary prevention for both children and adults is of critical importance. The 1890 land-grant institution Extension programs provide food and nutrition education to limited-resource families in rural and urban areas via the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). These programs are existing channels that reach low-income minority individuals, who are at a higher risk of obesity. Previous Youth EFNEP studies have shown a significant impact on youth's nutrition knowledge but mixed results on their dietary behaviors; however, these programs targeted youth only. Because parents are the gatekeepers for foods available to their children, it is important to reach parents with messages on nutrition and physical activity (PA) behaviors. However, there are other influences on youth nutrition and PA behaviors, particularly within the social systems network in which low income families exist and function. In particular, it is unknown whether social systems network, composed of family and close friends, offer positive or negative support for youth to provide a healthy home food and PA environment. The goal of the proposed project is to enhance the current nutrition and PA curriculum for youth delivered via the 1890's Extension Youth EFNEP using the social systems network approach with social media, for obesity prevention. The CBG Program Priority Area is a) Human health, obesity as it relates to nutrition, and human sciences.

OBJECTIVES: The overall goal of the proposed study is to build capacity within PVAMU's Co-operative Extension to enhance the current nutrition and PA program for youth delivered via the 1890's youth EFNEP for obesity prevention. The goal is consistent with the USDA goal of improving the nation's nutrition and health by promoting the development of healthy dietary and PA habits in children. The proposed study will be a collaborative initiative between 1890's Cooperative Extension Program at the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Texas and researchers at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center - Baylor College of Medicine (CNRC-BCM). The study will include all three functions of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., extension, research, and education). The EFNEP Nutrition Education Associates (NEA's) will provide education programs for a minimum of six weeks teaching youth how to choose healthy behaviors. During these workshops they will learn how to: replace sweetened drinks with low-fat milk and water, play actively 60 minutes a day, consume more fruits and vegetables, eat fewer high-fat and high-sugar foods and more nutrient-rich and high fiber foods, eat only as often and as much as needed to satisfy hunger, limit screen time to two hours or less a day and promote healthy behaviors.