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Hmong Childhood Obesity Prevention Program: A model pilot project in northern California
Author(s) -
Martin Anna,
Sutherland Barbara,
Donohue Susan,
Wakimoto Patricia
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1005-b
Subject(s) - checklist , formative assessment , curriculum , culturally appropriate , nutrition education , medical education , program evaluation , medicine , psychology , gerontology , pedagogy , political science , public administration , cognitive psychology
The purpose of this research project was to pilot test a culturally appropriate Hmong nutrition education curriculum, adapted to the existing California Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). The program is unique in that Hmong community members provided input in the curriculum development and were recruited from three counties to implement the 8‐week program. The extenders are involved in the recruitment, delivery of the lessons and the evaluation. The curriculum emphasizes healthy eating, messages from the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 and interactive learning activities. Each lesson was designed to incorporate cultural foods and recipes, Hmong‐adapted handouts and culturally tailored messages. Topics covered include maintaining healthy traditional habits, MyPyramid messages, modifying less healthy food patterns, keeping foods safe and increasing physical activity. Essential components of the lessons are family involvement, goal setting and weekly evaluation. Evaluation for the program includes formative evaluation as well as use of the standard EFNEP evaluation tools, including the food behavior checklist and 24‐hour recalls. Community health workers, or more specifically, extenders, who represent and work with communities provide links between providers and the broader community and have the ability to bridge cultural gaps and assist community members in making changes.