The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that a comprehensive community approach to prevention oriented nutrition education, screening, case management and community support will improve nutrition behaviors and modify chronic disease risk factors. The program impacts three different groups within the rural counties in Georgia: low-income women and their families, food stamp and health professionals, and community food and health related businesses. The program seeks to: 1) Link clinic and community food resources; 2) Empower existing local food stamp and health professionals by providing basic nutrition education and computer training for easier access to nutrition resources; 3) Create community-based support for healthy eating by linking local food stamp and public health programs with local grocery stores, county extension service, churches, cable access stations, libraries, radio programs and restaurants. Nutrition education tools have been developed using visual images and supporting text with literacy level at the third grade or lower. Internet support through e-mail has been established to provide daily immediate feedback and program updates to local health professionals. A program web page has been developed to aid in the creation, storage, transfer, and printing of nutrition education materials. Non-traditional classrooms, radio, public television, and program videos have been used to deliver nutrition messages. The ultimate goal for the program is integration into the Cooperative Extension Services curriculum and public health delivery systems for possible implementation as a peer nutrition education program in additional rural counties. See www.gsu.edu/eatwell
Learning Objectives: 1) Create community-based partnerships to foster healthy eating in rural counties. 2) Identify the importance of using non-traditional classrooms as vehicles to deliver nutrition messages 3)Recognize the use of technology to disseminate nutrition education materials.
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Georgia and USDA sponsors the program discussed in the abstract.
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.