Homeless women and children are at high risk for health and nutrition related concerns (Weinreb, et al., 1998; Parker et al., 1991; Wood et al, 1990). Homeless women and children's diets are typically high in saturated fats, sodium and sugar and low in fruits and vegetables. Healthy Choices 2000 is an innovative nutrition education program designed to: (1) increase access for homeless children and families to foods needed for healthy child development and (2) build the skills and knowledge necessary to make healthy food choices and to better coordinate public resource efforts to help homeless families improve their access to healthy food. From our baseline data, nutrition characteristics of the women in the program (n=31) include 51.6% are food insecure, 19.4% as morbidly obese, 19.5% report their health status as fair or poor, 19% report eating at least one fruit per day and 29% report eating at least one vegetable per day. Using the Healthy Choices 2000 curriculum, we were able to increase fruit and vegetable intake, increase the likelihood that participants would try new foods and experiment when cooking for themselves and their children. After the completion of the program, of the women surveyed (n=21), 85.7% reported increasing their intake of fruits, 81% reported increasing their intake of vegetables since the inception of the program, and 90% reported they know more about the benefits of fruits and vegetables. This presentation will review nutrition-related concerns of these families and present an innovative nutrition education program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, each participant will be able to: 1) Identify nutrition-related concerns of homeless children and families. 2) Identify program components to be included when planning an intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption of homeless women and children.
Keywords: Nutrition, Homeless
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.