Chef Charles ClubNutrition Education for Older Adults

Funded by USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education

Carlene Russell, MS RD LD carlene.russell@iowa.gov

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/nutritionnetwork/chef_charles.asp

4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists & Administrators Conference August 2006

Iowans are living Longer

• 4th in the nation over age of 60 (19%)

• 2nd in the nation for 85 and older (2.2%)

• 941 Iowans 100 years or older

20.522.9

32.9

05

101520253035

5+ servings

Fruit & Vegetable Intake By Older Iowans BRFSS '05

55-64 yr65-74 yr75+

Fruit and Vegetable Intake• 33% older Iowans consume 5 servings (BRFSS)

• Low income groups consume fewer servings

• 26% consume 2 servings (Chef Charles)• 21% consume 3 servings• 18 % consume 4 servings• 8% consume 5 servings

Program Objectives

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

• Be more physically active each day

• Prepare and cook foods safely

Congregate Meal Program in Iowa

• 77,796 individuals served in 2005

• 82.3% at or below 185% poverty

• Receive nutrition education monthly with Older Americans Act funding

• 3000 Chef Charles Club newsletters distributed monthly

• 100 meal sites

Group Nutrition Education

• Congregate meal sites

• Lay leaders

• Scripted nutrition modules

• Incorporated adult learning strategies– small groups– hands on activities– visual resources

3

Focus group suggestions Be brief in presenting nutrition information.

Avoid lectures; provide nutrition information in a brief interactive way.

Provide tasting opportunities that illustrate new foods and recipes.

Give suggestions on how to purchase, ripen, store and eat fruits and vegetables.

Encourage physical activity on the Chef Charles bingo card.

Most InfluentialRecipesFood SamplesSnack & Act Bingo

Pick a Better…Dessert.A demonstration of a simple dessert.

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Pick A Better…DessertThe April newsletter recipe (a copy of the recipe is on the next page) demonstrates how to satisfy your hunger for dessert and provide nutrition. It uses only three ingredients and requires no cooking. One recipe makes three servings and can make six small samples.

The directions suggest using a blender or food processor to finish the recipe for a smooth consistency. We have also tried this alternative and find it works well. Add the orange juice to the other ingredients in the freezer bag, close the bag tightly and squeeze the bag to incorporate the 3 ingredients together. The pineapple will be a little chunky, but very satisfying.

Make sure to note to the participants that this is low fat and low sodium dessert that provides yellow/orange produce and helpsto maintain heart and vision health.

Order Your Materials (provided to Iowa Nutrition Network Partners Only)Contact Name_______________________________________________Area Agency on Aging________________________________________Congregate Meal Site_________________________________________Address____________________________________________________City, State, and Zip___________________________________________Phone Number___________________ FAX Number________________

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Month # newsletters # Refrigerator Magnets (Only for new participants)

# Incentives (order guide:meal sites under 50=5 each; 50-75=7 each; 76-100= 10

each item).

April Refrigerator Memo Boards___

Measuring Spoons_____

Pineapple Recipes_____

Answers to Chef Charles Says questions: 1.__________ __________

2.__________ 3. ________ _________ 4. ______ ________ 5. _____ Return to: Marilyn Jones, IDPH, Lucas Building, 5th Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 or by FAX 515-281-4913. For questions call Marilyn at 800-532-1579 or 515-281-6047.

Feedback

• Participants like– newsletters– exercise bands were a big hit– food samples

• Leaders like– easy to use materials– colorful apron

Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake Program Eval ‘05

• 55% report increasing intake

• 46% tasted new F&V

• 49% tried new recipes containing F&V

• 78% agreed they may develop health problems if they do not eat F&V

• 62% report they feel they can eat 2.5 cups of F&V.

Safe Food Handling Program Eval’05

As a result of the Chef Charles program• 64 % report washing hands more often• 70% report learning new nutrition info• 40% report using a refrigerator thermometer• 22% report using a thermometer to test

doneness of meat (21% plan to increase use)• 67% wait for hot food to cool before

refrigerating it

Physical Activity Program Eval ‘05

As a result of the Chef Charles program• 39% report increasing physical activity• 42% report 30 minutes most days• 21% plan to increase in next month• 17% plan to increase in 6 months• 68% agree that PA will reduce falls• 73% agree that PA will improve Q of L• 43% report that can perform PA 30 minutes

Stage of Change

• Those planning to increase PA tended to consume more fruits/fruit juice than those who did not have plans.

• 76.1% vs 60.7% (<0.05)

• Not significant for vegetable intake

Challenges

• Funding– leader time– tasting opportunities

• Delineation of OAA and FSNE responsibility for nutrition education

Opportunities

• Provide nutrition education to congregate meal participants

• Enjoyable• Easy to use • Utilize goal setting to move participants to

preparation and action stages for F&V, PA, and food safety practices