EFNEP Knowledge is Power–Nutrition Education for Healthier Families


	impact
		The University of Arizona
*College of Agriculture and Life Sciences*
	*Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health* EFNEP Knowledge is Power–Nutrition Education for Healthier Families *Impact Nugget* EFNEP nutrition educators in Maricopa County (including the Phoenix metropolitan area) taught 2,000 families in 2005; reports show that 95 percent of the participants exited the program with positive overall changes in any food group such as consuming more fruits and vegetables and decreasing sugar and fat intake. The total number of participants who completed a six-week session in 2005 was 2,132. *Issue* Hunger and poor health contributes to debilitating factors such as increased chronic disease, homelessness, family stress and deterioration, and child health related diseases due to inadequate nutrition. The Native American reservations are combating diabetes at an alarming rate and the African American and Hispanic communities are struggling with diabetes and high blood pressure. Americans as a whole are faced with the same nutrition related problems. Proper nutrition plays a major role in combating food related diseases. *What has been done?* EFNEP, the Extension Food and Nutrition Education Program strengthens low-income families through education. Families learn about making sound nutritional choices based on dietary guidelines, by improving their overall nutrition and health, and learning skills to manage their money through optimum grocery purchasing and applying safe food practices. Education regarding the positive effects of healthy food choices gives families the power to decrease the negative effects of poor food choices. Thus EFNEP classes stress positive choices, such as increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and decreasing the negative effects of poor food choices high in fat, sugar and salt. EFNEP nutrition educators in Maricopa County (including the Phoenix metropolitan area) taught 2,132 six lesson each for a total of 13,622 contacts in 2005. The number of households enrolled in one or more food assistance programs as a result of EFNEP assistance was over 1,400 households. Simple money-management techniques taught in EFNEP classes empowered families to use food dollars more wisely and make healthier food decisions. *Impact* In 2005, ninety-five percent of the 2,132 participants exited the EFNEP program with a positive overall change in any food group such as consuming more fruits and vegetables and decreasing sugar and fat intake. Eighty-one percent of EFNEP participants showed improvement in planning meals, in not running out of food before the end of the month, in comparing prices and in using grocery lists when shopping. Seventy-nine percent of EFNEP participants ate two or more servings of fruit and 64 percent were eating three or more servings of vegetables upon exiting the program. Seventy-eight percent of EFNEP participants showed improvement in one or more nutrition practices such as preparing food without adding salt. *Funding* Smith-Lever 3 (d): EFNEP In-kind from agencies *Contact* Ruth Jackson, extension agent, FCS/EFNEP coordinator The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension 4341 E. Broadway Road Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807 Tel.: (602) 470-8086, FAX: (602) 470-8092 Email: rjackson@ag.arizona.edu Return to the Title Page Return to the Table of Contents