The impact of using a behavior checklist to followup with Food Stamp Nutrition Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Program graduates at six months post-graduation

Research was conducted to determine if graduates from either Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) Project or Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) maintained behavioral changes six months after completing the series of 6 nutrition lessons. To maintain contact with clients postgraduation, staff members were instructed to send graduates three bimonthly newsletters discussing timely nutrition and food budgeting topics. At 6 months post graduation, staff asked graduates to complete a 10-question behavior checklist survey that was identical to the survey completed by clients at entry and exit. All answers were on a 5-point scale. One-hundred sixty-eight post-graduate follow-up surveys were collected from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Pre, post and follow-up responses were compared using chi-Square analysis. Behaviors that clients had maintained or improved significantly (P < .05) from pre to post graduation and pre to follow-up were: planning meals ahead of time, running out of foods less often before the end of the month, not thawing food at room temperature, using the “Nutrition Facts” Label to make food choices, and feeding their children in the morning within two hours of waking up. In addition, using the “Nutrition Facts” on the food label significantly improved from post to follow-up (P < .05). Results of this study support that clients who participate in nutrition education programs can retain their behavior change at least 6 months post graduation. This project was funded by the Nebraska EFNEP program and by USDA/FNS Food Stamp Program.