Creating Healthful Home Food Environments: Results of a Study with Participants in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

摘要

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. Design: Two-group randomized control trial; intervention versus usual EFNEP curriculum. Setting: Texas EFNEP classes. Participants: 1,104 EFNEP clients in 100 classes. Intervention: Six short videos, with goal setting, problem solving, guided discussion, and handouts, incorporated into existing EFNEP classes. Main Outcome Measures: Body mass index (BMI), diet, psychosocial variables with baseline measurements, immediately post, and 4 months later. Analysis: 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. Conclusion and Implications: 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.