Knowledge, Skills, and Behavior Changes of Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Graduates in South Carolina

Abstract

One of the principal goals of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is to help low income families acquire the knowledge, skills, and behavior changes necessary to improve their diets. Participants in this study were 2332 families who were enrolled in the EFNEP program in SC. Of this group, 723 graduated from the program, 402 terminated the program, and 1207 were continuing in the program at the end of the reporting period. Over half (62%) of the families sampled were from towns with populations under 10,000 and rural non-farm areas. Two-thirds (67%) received group instruction and 30% received individual instruction. The Homemaker's 24-Hour Food Recall was administered by paraprofessionals to graduates of the EFNEP. Dietary data and responses to survey items were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Of the participants who graduated during the reporting period, 27.0% consumed a 3-1-1-1-1 food pattern and 2.4% consumed a 6-2-3-2-2 food pattern at graduation. Nearly all graduates (91.1%) reported a positive change in at least one food group at exit. The mean number of calories consumed by graduates increased from 1583 to 1780. The mean fiber intake of graduates increased from 12 to 14 grams. The mean Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) for protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 increased significantly at program completion. Graduated homemakers consumed over 100% of the RDA for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6; they did not meet the RDA for calories, iron, and calcium. EFNEP graduates exhibited improved food resource management, nutrition, and food safety practices. The findings of this study indicate that a wide variety of positive dietary and nutrition-related changes were achieved by graduates of the South Carolina EFNEP.