Creating healthful home food environments: results of a study with participants in the expanded food and nutrition education program.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a modified curriculum for the 6-session Texas Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) promoting healthful home food environments and parenting skills related to obesity prevention.


METHODS
Two-group randomized control trial; intervention versus usual EFNEP curriculum.


METHODS
Texas EFNEP classes.


METHODS
1,104 EFNEP clients in 100 classes.


METHODS
Six short videos, with goal setting, problem solving, guided discussion, and handouts, incorporated into existing EFNEP classes.


METHODS
Body mass index (BMI), diet, psychosocial variables with baseline measurements, immediately post, and 4 months later.


METHODS
Mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance.


RESULTS
100 classes were randomized (54 intervention/46 comparison), with 1,006 participants at baseline (582 intervention, 424 comparison, 97% women, 89% Hispanic). Significant improvements over time were found for both groups' consumption of most food items and nutrients, and nearly all psychosocial variables, regardless of study group. Only the intervention group had a significant BMI decrease at post. Fidelity to the intervention class session structure was high, and comments from intervention staff and clients were positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Existing EFNEP programs in local communities could have a significant impact on family dietary behaviors for populations at risk of obesity. Replication with similar populations is warranted.
Cullen
Karen Weber
KW
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030-2600, USA. kcullen@bcm.tmc.edu
Lara Smalling
Agueda
A
Thompson
Debbe
D
Watson
Kathleen B
KB
Reed
Debra
D
Konzelmann
Karen
K
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003479:Curriculum; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008612:Menu Planning; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011632:Public Assistance; D020377:Self Efficacy