Fuel for Fun: Cooking With Kids Plus Parents and Play – Year 4 Achievements

Abstract

ObjectiveDescribe 4th year accomplishments of Fuel for Fun (FFF) 4th-grade multi-component school- and family-based intervention and resultant contributions to nutrition education scholarship.DescriptionFive major activities occurred in the 4th year of this 5-year integrated project. Although not part of the original proposal, we recruited a second control cohort to strengthen comparisons of intervention impact. We conducted cognitive interviews with 24 children to further assess FFF evaluation survey for face validity. We trained Extension agents in 3 rural counties to deliver the FFF intervention in or out-of-school and documented their activity. We conducted a literature review for ways to enhance parent engagement efforts and proactively revised and fortified communications with FFF parents (e.g., additional follow up time for surveys; increased incentives). We initiated measures to adapt FFF to better meet needs of EFNEP/SNAP-Ed audiences. Nutrition education researchers conducted in-depth reviews of the 6 most widely used youth curricula to identify frequency and level of cooking instruction. Through administration and analysis of an online survey to EFNEP program leaders, we identified interest in and considerations when using cooking-inclusive curricula. We also identified FFF cooking activities that fit standard lesson allotment times (e.g., 45 minutes).EvaluationWe applied a variety of methods to accomplish these activities including surveys, interviews, literature reviews, curricular review, and case studies.Conclusions and ImplicationsFFF Year 4 activities have exceeded project goals and contribute to nutrition education scholarship in parent engagement, application of technology, and dissemination and implementation science.FundingUSDA Grant #2012-68001-19603 ObjectiveDescribe 4th year accomplishments of Fuel for Fun (FFF) 4th-grade multi-component school- and family-based intervention and resultant contributions to nutrition education scholarship. Describe 4th year accomplishments of Fuel for Fun (FFF) 4th-grade multi-component school- and family-based intervention and resultant contributions to nutrition education scholarship. DescriptionFive major activities occurred in the 4th year of this 5-year integrated project. Although not part of the original proposal, we recruited a second control cohort to strengthen comparisons of intervention impact. We conducted cognitive interviews with 24 children to further assess FFF evaluation survey for face validity. We trained Extension agents in 3 rural counties to deliver the FFF intervention in or out-of-school and documented their activity. We conducted a literature review for ways to enhance parent engagement efforts and proactively revised and fortified communications with FFF parents (e.g., additional follow up time for surveys; increased incentives). We initiated measures to adapt FFF to better meet needs of EFNEP/SNAP-Ed audiences. Nutrition education researchers conducted in-depth reviews of the 6 most widely used youth curricula to identify frequency and level of cooking instruction. Through administration and analysis of an online survey to EFNEP program leaders, we identified interest in and considerations when using cooking-inclusive curricula. We also identified FFF cooking activities that fit standard lesson allotment times (e.g., 45 minutes). Five major activities occurred in the 4th year of this 5-year integrated project. Although not part of the original proposal, we recruited a second control cohort to strengthen comparisons of intervention impact. We conducted cognitive interviews with 24 children to further assess FFF evaluation survey for face validity. We trained Extension agents in 3 rural counties to deliver the FFF intervention in or out-of-school and documented their activity. We conducted a literature review for ways to enhance parent engagement efforts and proactively revised and fortified communications with FFF parents (e.g., additional follow up time for surveys; increased incentives). We initiated measures to adapt FFF to better meet needs of EFNEP/SNAP-Ed audiences. Nutrition education researchers conducted in-depth reviews of the 6 most widely used youth curricula to identify frequency and level of cooking instruction. Through administration and analysis of an online survey to EFNEP program leaders, we identified interest in and considerations when using cooking-inclusive curricula. We also identified FFF cooking activities that fit standard lesson allotment times (e.g., 45 minutes). EvaluationWe applied a variety of methods to accomplish these activities including surveys, interviews, literature reviews, curricular review, and case studies. We applied a variety of methods to accomplish these activities including surveys, interviews, literature reviews, curricular review, and case studies. Conclusions and ImplicationsFFF Year 4 activities have exceeded project goals and contribute to nutrition education scholarship in parent engagement, application of technology, and dissemination and implementation science. FFF Year 4 activities have exceeded project goals and contribute to nutrition education scholarship in parent engagement, application of technology, and dissemination and implementation science.