Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115903

Doris Evans-Gates, BSW, MS, CHES and Vera Green, MS, RD, LD. Division of Public Health, WIC Branch, Georgia Department of Human Resources, 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 10-476, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 656-9883, dgates@worldnet.att.net

STATEMENT OF METHODS USED: The goal of the Georgia Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is to save lives and improve the health of nutritionally at risk women, infants and children. The WIC population represents 32% White non-Hispanic, 44% Black non-Hispanic, 20% Hispanic, 2% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 2% Multi-Racial. The Georgia Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) was developed to help ameliorate the needs of participants who may be at risk of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. This program has been in existence since 1998 and has served 74,263 participants from its inception. Nutrition Education is a major component of the FMNP. Each participant received instruction on making health food choices including eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. To better understand fruit and vegetable consumption and its health affect, a 7-item questionnaire was distributed to participants enrolled in the FMNP between 2002 and 2004. A survey was distributed to all FMNP participants at their next follow-up visit to the clinic. In 2002 a total of 313 surveys were completed; in 2003, 1897 and in 2004, 1267 surveys were completed. SUMMARY OF RESULTS: WIC Participants ate more fruits and vegetables while participating in the FMNP Program. In 2002, 71% reported that they ate more fruits and vegetables; 62% reported improvement in 2003 and 65% in 2004. In 2002, 45% said they learned new ways to cook fresh fruits and vegetables, 48% in 2003 and 48% in 2004. CONCLUSION: FMNP participants increased fruit and vegetable consumption and learned ways to prepare them between 2002 and 2004.

Learning Objectives:

• List three strategies used to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
• Discuss the importance of fruit and vegetable in reducing chronic heatlh conditions.
• List thee marketing techniques used to promote FMNP.

Keywords: Health Education, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered