Nutrition education needs and services among American Indians participating in a federal food assistance program

Abstract

This study presents data on the nutrition education needs and services among a nationally representative sample of American Indians participating in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) during September 1989. A multi-stage, stratified sample design was utilized, and 757 FDPIR households completed interviews. Three focus groups, composed of FDPIR household members responsible for food selection and preparation, also were conducted.Over half of all households participating in the program had at least one adult with one or more nutrition-related health problems, and more than one out of four households had at least one member who was supposed to be on a special diet. FDPIR Program Directors and focus group participants independently identified these same health problems as issues of importance to their reservations. However, focus group participants demonstrated misconceptions about diet and health, a lack of information related to improving dietary habits, frustration in changing dietary practices, and a need for more health and nutrition education.The 30 local FDPIR programs included in this study allocated an average of 5% of their administrative funds to nutrition education. Over 25% of the programs reported no nutrition education budget. Nineteen programs reported nutrition education personnel expenditures. With few exceptions, these staff had little or no formal training in either health or nutrition. The focus of nutrition education activities usually was limited to distributing commodity recipes and cookbooks, and demonstrating how to prepare foods.The nutrition education needs identified in this article go beyond the scope of FDPIR nutrition education services being provided or required by Federal regulations. Federal and tribal program changes are necessary to ensure that adequate nutrition education services are available through FDPIR.