Creating a Plan for Action: Extension’s In- and Out-of-School Programs Kerry Seymour, MS, RD...

Creating a Plan for Action: Extension’s In- and

Out-of-School Programs

Kerry Seymour, MS, RDWestern Area

Nutrition Specialist

Elementary School-Based Nutrition Programs

Out-of-School Nutrition Programs

Small Steps 4 Big Changes

Pilot Summer Program – Carson City

Common Characteristics

USDA SNAP-Ed funded At-risk, under-served audiences Promote obesity-risk reduction

behaviors In-school programs partner with WCSD’s

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Evaluation component

Uses “Train-the-trainer” model to increase teachers’ confidence, competence in delivering nutrition education

Audience: K-6 teachers and students 3-5 schools per year for 3-years In-service presentation on childhood

obesity 2-3 grade-specific MyPyramid for Kids

nutrition lessons per class 3 Newsletters + Parent outreach

9 schools (multi-year participation) 125 parents 196 nutrition lessons 225 teachers (lessons) 511 teachers (in-services) 6,376 students (lessons) 4,965 students (school-wide fruit-tasting

events)

ResultsSignificant increases (p <.05) were

seen in… Awareness of MyPyramid for Kids

concepts Understanding of the Dietary Guidelines Understanding and support of the

School District Wellness Policy Preparedness to teach Amount of nutrition content taught

Conducted in schools with predominantly American Indian students

10-lessons based on modified MyPyramid for Kids

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and self-reported behaviors

Results

Objectives Increase exposure to vegetables and

fruits, including traditional Native American foods

Promote substitution of water for sweetened beverages

Promote daily physical activity Provide gardening experiences Engage the parents

Results

4 schools - multi-year participation

166 students - lessons

715 students and 75 teachers - 6 school-wide events

Results Knowledge gains in ability to name

MyPyramid for Kids food groups Improvement in recognition and

identification of selected vegetables Increased willingness to sample

vegetables not previously tasted Increased preference

Results (cont.)

A trend toward improvement in beverages choices

An increase in self-described physical activity

Extension publication of grade specific curriculum manuals

Hoop houses built

Create a nutrition curriculum enhanced by school garden experiences

Promote obesity risk-reduction behaviors

418 students 172 classroom lessons 220 students participated in the

summer programs and school-wide events.

108 parents participated in out-of-school events with 18 serving as garden volunteers.

Results Increased ability to name

MyPyramid food groups 94 % of students willing to sample

all fruits and vegetables offered Reported increases in fruits and

vegetables consumed Reported increases in physical

activity

USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Year Award ~# Students # SchoolsWashoe County School District ‘09 $171,372 3,500 7

‘10 $466,234 6,530 14 ‘11 $508,865 10,000 21

Lyon County School District ‘11 906 2

Out-of-School Nutrition Programs

Small Steps 4 Big Changes

Children, youth and families 4 Reno Housing Authority sites 10 1-1/2 hour lessons

Nutrition educationPhysical activityRecipe + sampling

Community and School Gardens – Part of the Solution?

Food security Access to vegetables and fruits

(V/F) Repeated exposures effects

preference V/F intakes inverse relationship to

obesity-risk

School and Community Gardens “Support” Group

Resource for garden development

Opportunity to network Free seeds and seedlings Access to references and funding Extension Master Gardeners

Contact Information

Kerry Seymour, MS, RD Email: seymourk@unce.unr.edu Phone: (775) 784-4848