Title: A NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PRISONOFFENDERS SENTENCED TO HOME CONFINEMENT

Author(s): L. Sebelia, G. W. Greene; Nutrition and Food Sciences,University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Learning Outcome: To describe an intervention program foroffenders assigned to home confinement

Text: Morbidity and mortality are higher among offenders sentencedto home confinement as compared to non-offenders. However,nutrition education needs of this population have not been described.The RI Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program, in conjunctionwith the RI Department of Corrections, provided an intervention for89 of these prisoners; 81 provided follow-up data. The interventionconsisted of 4 stage of change tailored newsletters mailed weeklypromoting consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) (adapted frommaterials developed by Nitzke et al. Health Promotion 2007;21[4]).Prisoners were assessed pre and post intervention; stage was re-assessed after the first 2 newsletters to confirm or revise tailoring.All assessments were conducted by trained interviewers over thetelephone. The sample was diverse, (43% minority), predominantlymale (80%), living with parents or relatives (67%), earning �$15,000/year (64%); mean age�29�10 years, BMI�27�5.5. Therewas an increase in mean cups of FV/day “usually eaten” from 3.1�2.1to 4.3�2.3, t�5.4, p�.001, as well as frequency of consumption of FV/day measured by the NCIFV Screener from 4.9�3.3 to 6.4�4.5,t�5.5, p�.001 and an increase in self-efficacy “confidence to eat 5cups FV/day” from 6.1�3.4 to 7.3�2.9, t�4.8, p�.001. There waspositive movement towards action and maintenance for 5 cups of FV/day from pre to post (�2�44, p�.001), with most of the stagemovement in the first 2 weeks. This non-experimental study suggeststhat this intervention has a positive short-term impact on behavior,motivational readiness to consume 5 cups of FV/day, and self-efficacyin this vulnerable population.

Funding Disclosure: This project was supported by the RhodeIsland Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program, Rhode IslandDepartment of Human Services, grant #877 and the Initiative forFuture Agriculture and Food Systems grant #2005-35215-15412 fromthe USDA Cooperative

Title: NEW NATIONAL SURVEY IDENTIFIES GAPS INCONSUMER KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOR REGARDING DIET,PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WEIGHT AND HEALTH

Author(s): S. Goldberg, D. Schmidt, S. Borra, L. Hatch, D. Elder;International Food Information Council, Washington, DC

Learning Outcome: Professionals will learn more about the overallnutrition behaviors of the US population and use this information inorder to work effectively in the area of preventing obesity.

Text: Successful interventions to enhance health through changes indiet and exercise must be based on an accurate understanding ofexisting attitudes, knowledge and behavior within the targetpopulation. The International Food Information Council (IFIC)Foundation conducted a national survey of the general population togain this understanding and establish a base and to measure changeover time. The baseline national survey (n � 1060) was conductedonline among Americans over age 18. Data was weighted to the U.S.census by age, income, and gender to create a representative sample.The survey was fielded in November 2005 and again in February2007. While Americans report looking for calorie information on foodpackage labels, nearly 9 out 10 Americans are unable to accuratelyestimate the number of calories they should eat in an average day.Only 29% of Americans identified that calories in general are thecause of weight gain, versus other basic food components such as fat.In the broader category of health, 75% of Americans described theiroverall health status as good, very good, or excellent, while only 54%describe their diet as healthful. Trended findings from the 2007survey will be newly released before the conference. AlthoughAmericans are generally aware of calories in terms of diet and weightmanagement, there is a gap between this awareness and theirreported behavior. In order to work effectively in the area ofpreventing obesity, health professionals must develop effectiveintervention strategies that address consumer gaps in diet andoverall health.

Funding Disclosure: The study was funded by the IFICFoundation, from unrestricted grants from the food, beverage, andagricultural industries.

Title: DIFFERENCES IN LIFESTYLE FACTORS THATAFFECT HEALTH IN CAUCASIAN, AFRICAN AMERICANAND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES

Author(s): M. Hernandez,1 O. L. Crawford,1 P. Pribis,1

E. I. Hernandez,2 W. J. Craig1; 1Nutrition & Wellness, AndrewsUniversity, Berrien Springs, MI, 2Richard DeVos Foundation,Grand Rapids, MI

Learning Outcome: To identify key lifestyle factors whichsignificantly influence health outcomes in Caucasian, AfricanAmerican and Hispanic groups in Kent County, Michigan.

Text: Based on a survey of 1351 residents of Kent County inMichigan, this project examines different lifestyle factors amongCaucasians, African Americans and Hispanics. The lifestylefactors and their prevalence were examined for all three ethnicgroups. Using SPSS, frequencies, Chi-Square and One-wayANOVA were computed. Significant differences were foundamong the lifestyle factors across the three ethnic groups, withthe exception of exercise. For Caucasians 81.9% reported good-to-excellent health, 15.3% smoked, 58.0% exercised 30 minutesdaily, 37.0% ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables,92.8% had health insurance, and the average BMI was 26.4. Forthe African-Americans 60.5% reported good-to-excellent health,29.5% smoked, 54.5% exercised 30 minutes daily, 30.6% ate fiveor more servings of fruits and vegetables, 81.1% had healthinsurance, and the average BMI was 29.1. For the Hispanics73.6% reported good-to-excellent health, 19.6% smoked, 61.0%exercised 30 minutes daily, 45.5% ate five or more servings offruits and vegetables, 75.8% had health insurance, and theaverage BMI was 27.1. The results underscore the healthdisparities that exist among majority and minority populations.

Funding Disclosure: The Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation.

Title: IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY TO FRESH FRUITS ANDVEGETABLES IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES: THE YOUTHFARMSTAND EXPERIENCE

Author(s): L. J. Hughes; Dept. of Family & Community HealthSciences, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Clayton, NJ

Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identifyopportunities to form collaborations within their own communities toimprove community access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods

Text: Economic status and the proximity of markets to householdscan affect individual diets -- including the amount of fruits andvegetables that individuals consume. Consumers who live close tooutlets that sell affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables are morelikely to purchase and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables thanthose who live in areas devoid of such outlets. Training youth tooperate farmstands in at-risk communities benefits both youth andtheir communities. Youth receive instruction that combines food,nutrition, agriculture and character education with workforcepreparation, finance and business training. During the summer theyput newly acquired skills to use by operating farmstands, whichcreate access to affordable, locally grown foods and support localfarmers/growers. Using New Jersey’s Seeds to Success youthfarmstand project as a model, nutrition professionals can learn toidentify the rewards that a “local foods” (purchasing and eating foodsthat are grown/produced in the state or region) component can bringto a community-based nutrition project; how to recognizeopportunities to form collaborations within their own communities toimprove access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods; and explainwhat a youth farmstand is and how this project can be implementedin another community to reduce the economic disparity of accessingfresh fruits and vegetables.

Funding Disclosure: USDA CYFAR New Communities grant, NJDepartment of Agriculture “Jersey Fresh” marketing grants, ValeroChildren’s Fund benefit, Glassboro Office of Economic Development,Glassboro School District, NE SARE Sustainable Community grant

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

POSTER SESSION: WELLNESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION / A-95