Examining the Effectiveness of a Nutrition Education Intervention for Hispanic Participants

Abstract

Background: ​The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) ​Food Talk nutrition education curriculum in the state of Georgia was specifically tailored towards Hispanic EFNEP participants in order to test the effectiveness of the intervention in the Hispanic population. Methods: ​455 Hispanic EFNEP individuals ages 18-61 in the state of Georgia participated in the data collection. Measures collected include 24 hour diet recall, and food behavior checklist to compare consumption and food behavior practices both before and after nutrition education intervention. Results: ​Measurable objectives of the study include statistically significant increases (p<.001) in fruit, vegetable and milk consumption and consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk group foods closer to the recommended levels of USDA MyPlate guidelines for the nutrition education intervention group. Results also showed statistically significant (p<.0001) improvements in nutrition-related behaviors. Conclusions: ​This study supports a nutrition intervention developed to improve dietary behaviors for EFNEP participants that will be effective in the Hispanic population of Georgia with modifications to the nutrition education curriculum.