Success Story - National Nutrition Month
March 2006
Describe the related Annual Action Plan activity
A series of nutrition education events for National Nutrition Month to promote the intake of fruits and vegetables and increase public awareness and understanding of the Winner's Circle Healthy Dining Program.
Author & Community
Cyndie Meyer, R.D., Winner's Circle Coordinator
Steps to a Healthier Clark County
Community Choices
Steps cost, or resources used
Approximately $1,000 for contractor fees
In-kind, or community contribution
$390 grant from Washington State Dietetic Association to purchase produce for distribution
$80 in written materials for distribution from WSU Extension
$80 in written materials for distribution from Clark County Health Department
Approximately 10 hours of volunteer time from local dietitians and food/nutrition professionals in planning, preparing and working at displays
Free exhibit space at the Vancouver Farmer's Market. Partners
Washington State Dietetic Association, Clark County Health Department (WIC), WSU Extension, Southwest Washington Medical Center – Healthy Steps Clinic, Vancouver Farmer’s Market
Disease and/or Risk factor
Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer
Date
3/06
Description:
In 2003, over 60% of adults in Clark County were overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is at record levels in Washington State. Overweight/obesity places these individuals at greater risk of long term health problems including diabetes and heart disease.
Research suggests that eating a healthy diet including 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day can decrease the risk of some cancers, heart disease, and may help lower blood pressure and contribute to weight loss.
Over the course of National Nutrition Month, Community Choices and community partners created displays in three locations frequented by people with limited resources – Healthy Steps Women’s and Children’s Clinic, Battleground Family Resource Center and the Vancouver Farmer’s Market. Because studies have shown that this population is best educated through one-on-one conversation, visual presentations and hands-on experiences, the chosen approach encouraged interaction and personal experience. Participation was attracted by offers of free produce.
The goals of these events were:
- To promote the intake of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables among the limited resource population in Clark County.
- To overcome the audience’s barriers to including produce in their daily diets. Barriers may include pre-conceptions related to the cost of produce, difficulty of preparation, and taste perception.
- To provide a daily serving of fresh fruits and vegetables to take home and eat.
- To introduce Winner’s Circle Healthy Dining program as a marker of healthy food choices in local dining and vending venues.
- To generate “grass roots” demand for healthy food choices in dining and vending venues.
At each event:
- Display tables featured colorful, eye-catching 5-a-day posters depicting produce and people enjoying it. The Winner’s Circle Healthy Dining Program was displayed and educational materials were distributed.
- Guidelines for daily consumption (new food pyramid) were graphically displayed and explained with posters of the pyramid provided to children.
- Actual food products were used to clearly demonstrate the cost and nutritional advantage fresh produce compared with snacks of soda pop, potato chips and candy.
- Dietitians assisted participants to create a shopping list for the week that included fruits and vegetables.
- Menu ideas, recipes and produce lists (what’s fresh each month) were distributed.
- Take-home activities were provided that feature checklists for tracking produce intake, ways of preparing and serving produce, and coloring sheets for children.
- Interactive activities for children featured “veggie puppets”, 5-a-day video and songs, coloring station, a “fish for food” activity, and play produce.
- Finally, a variety of fresh produce was distributed to participants who agreed to serve and eat it that day.
Implications and Impact of activity described: describe the impact on data, policies, etc.
Over the four days of these events, a pproximately 800 pounds of produce including apples, oranges, bananas, potatoes and carrots were distributed to over 400 families . One-to-one interactions ranged from brief interchanges to longer teaching sessions lasting up to 30 minutes. The events created a definite “buzz” among the audience regarding produce use, concern regarding obesity and an understanding of the positive contribution of increasing produce on weight management. Introduction of the Winner's Circle Healthy Dining Concept opened the venue for discussion of healthy eating practices while dining away from home. Children were particularly engaged in the activities, asking for favorite fruits, posters and playing with activities provided. This allowed the parents more time to visit with the dietitian. The cost and nutrition comparison of “junk” versus healthy foods was impressive to most participants, triggered discussion and dispelled the myth that junk food is cheaper than produce.
Describe the activity as an accomplishment or success, a promising practice, or a “lesson learned,” or a demonstration of a “best practice”: Would you recommend this activity for other communities? Why?
We would recommend this activity for other communities.
This activity was a success in reaching the intended audience and raising their awareness about nutrition. The produce “give-away”, though not a sustainable practice over time, did serve to draw attention, met an immediate need for many families, and underscored the importance of the message at this one-time event. Other organizations within the community, having seen or heard about these events, have requested similar displays for their schools or clinics. The need for more foreign language educational materials (especially in Spanish and Russian) became apparent during these events.
We would recommend the idea of providing health education venues in locations where it may be unexpected and where potential participants have “down time” and are therefore willing to participate. The medical clinic lobby was an excellent venue for this reason and allowed us to specifically target our population.
