Intention to change nutrition-related behaviors in adult participants of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether participation in selected Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) lessons had an impact on the intent to improve nutrition-related behaviors of participants. METHODS: A quantitative study using a retrospective post-then-pre design to measure SNAP-Ed outcomes of 203 adult participants after selected nutrition lessons in 14 counties across the state of Utah. After the intervention participants completed a retrospective post-then-pre survey evaluating intent to improve nutrition behaviors related to the SNAP-Ed lessons. Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction and paired t test were used. RESULTS: Participants reported sometimes engaging in nutrition related behaviors before attending SNAP-Ed lessons and intent to usually engage in these behaviors after attending SNAP-Ed lessons. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrated that participation in selected SNAP-Ed lessons was positively related to the intent of participants to improve nutrition-related behaviors.

Providing nutrition education to recently resettled refugees: piloting a collaborative model and evaluation methods.

Resettled refugees experience high levels of food insecurity because of low English proficiency, limited job skills, and lack of understanding of the United States food system. This study evaluated integrating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) into English as Second Language (ESL) classes taught at a worksite- training program for recently resettled refugees and the feasibility of using food purchase receipts. A convenience sample of resettled refugees participated in SNAP-Ed one hour for 12 weeks during ESL classes. Food purchase receipts were collected for purchases one week prior to, first three weeks, last three weeks, and one week after classes. Participants were from 17 countries and 50% completed 12 lessons. Fifty-nine participants turned in receipts and 93% used SNAP funds. By integrating SNAP-Ed into ESL classes at a worksite-training center a hard-to-reach eligible population was reached. Further validation is needed to use food purchase receipts.

Developing an online certification program for nutrition education assistants.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an online certification program for nutrition education paraprofessionals to increase knowledge and confidence and to overcome training barriers of programming time and travel expenses. DESIGN: An online interactive certification course based on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program core competencies was delivered to employees of both programs. Traditional vs online training was compared. Course content validity was determined through expert review by registered dietitians. Parameters studied included increase of nutrition knowledge and teaching technique/ability, educator satisfaction, and programming costs related to training. SETTING: Utah State University Extension. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program educators in Utah. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge and skills were measured using pre/posttest statistics. Participant satisfaction was measured with a survey. ANALYSIS: Paired t test; satisfaction survey. RESULTS: The change in paraprofessional knowledge score was statistically significant (P < .001). Forty percent of paraprofessionals strongly agreed and 60% agreed they were better prepared as nutrition educators because of the training. An estimated $16,000 was saved by providing the training online as compared to a face-to-face training. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This interactive online program is a cost-effective way to increase paraprofessional knowledge and job satisfaction.