The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3162.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 4

Abstract #48181

A nutrition program that focuses on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables among children

Samantha A. Berryman, MPH, Nutrition, Surry County Health & Nutrition Center, 118 Hamby Rd., Dobson, NC 27017, 336-401-8450, berrymans@co.surry.nc.us and N. Suzanne Wright, BS, Southeastern Division, American Cancer Society, 1900 South Hawthorne Suite 462, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Objective While low-income and minority populations have been the focus of many cancer prevention efforts, only few nutrition interventions have addressed the special needs of people with low literacy skills. This intervention is designed to determine the impact of fruit and vegetable consumption among WIC families by providing the caretakers with a low-literacy book that promotes consumption of these foods.

Methods Program participants are from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Surry County, with a current population of more than 1800. The book, entitled " The ABC's of Nutrition", is distributed to WIC caretakers during WIC visits.

Results The anticipated results are that WIC families will increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables as a result of reading this book to their children.

Conclusion Illiteracy remains a pervasive problem that compromises understanding of health information and potentially leads to poor health outcomes. By making this educational resource available, we can introduce –through parent and child involvement - fruits and vegetables to a population whose nutritional habits require constant reinforcement. Two areas often highlighted in cancer prevention are nutrition and education: this intervention is a cost-effective way to address both areas.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: WIC, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Community-based Collaborations

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA