The Association Between Changes in Food Security and Core Aspects of EFNEP Programming: A Path Analysis

Abstract

Objective

This study examined the impact of the Eating Smart, Being Active curriculum within the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) on participants’ food security and identified the pathways influencing food security to enhance program effectiveness.

Design

Cross-sectional, quantitative secondary data.

Participants

Two hundred adult EFNEP participants who completed the required preprogram and postprogram surveys during fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Food security, food resource management, and food safety.

Analysis

Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ characteristics. Paired t tests evaluated preprogram and postprogram changes. Path analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling to test hypothesized relationships between improvements in EFNEP domains and participants’ food security.

Results

While all EFNEP domains (nutrition behaviors, physical activity behaviors, food safety, and food resource management) showed significant improvements, only 51.5% of participants reported improved food security after program participation. Improvements in food resource management and food safety contributed to improved food security (β = 0.33 and β = 0.28, respectively; P < 0.001).

Conclusions and Implications

The findings suggest a need to integrate explicit food security strategies beyond these areas to further enhance postprogram food security improvements.