Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Lisa LachenmayrFood Stamp Nutrition Education

ProgramUniversity of Maryland Cooperative

Extension

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

How did it begin?• Social Marketing Project

– FSNEP– MCE Baltimore County– Maryland State

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

• Small amount of money• LOTS and LOTS of

discussion

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Target Audience and Message

• Baltimore City and Prince George’s County

• Low income• African American

youth• Physical activity

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Key ObjectivesIdentify:• Physical activity patterns in African

American children • Motivations for physical activity• Barriers to physical activity• Key messages to promote physical

activity

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Focus Group Testing• 6 focus groups were conducted• Baltimore City and Prince George’s

County• Participants

Children ages 6-9 Children ages 10-12 Parents of 6-12 year old children

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Eligibility of Participants

• African American• Residing in Baltimore or Prince

George’s county• Eligible for food stamps

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Role Models of Youth

• Historical figures• Musical entertainers• Sports celebrities• Family members

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Types of Physical Activity• 6-9 year olds played

outdoors and indoors. Valued family time

• 10-12 year old girls spent time with peers

• 10-12 year old boys were involved in sports

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Motivations for Physical Activity

• 6-9 year olds– Please parents– Spending time with family and friends– Health and strength– Avoid weight gain– Protection

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Motivations for Physical Activity

• 10-12 year olds– Health– Look better– Spend time with friends at school

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Motivations for Physical Activity

• Parents– Health– Social development– Time with family– Structure– Moral development

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Barriers to Physical Activity

• Homework• Babysitting and other constraints• Safety• Lack of space and privacy• TV and videos• Lack of encouragement from parents• Lack of opportunity

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Key Messages• Social aspects of physical activity• Emphasize activities they already

enjoy• Parents as role models• Limit TV and video time• Focus on older children• Emphasize free activities and safety

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Next Steps• Develop key messages to promote

physical activity in African American girls 9-12 years old

• Develop an intervention to promote physical activity

• Develop collaborators in Baltimore City

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

• Program designed for youth 9-13 years old (4-8th graders)

• Designed for after-school programs• Train-the-trainer • Club format

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Baltimore City Pilot• Partners: MSDHM, The After School

Institute and Kangaroo Kids• 25 clubs (goal was 5!)• Provided after school programs

– Jump Rope training– JumpSmart kits – The Power of Choice training

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Cost per JumpSmart Club• After-school programs

– None• State FSNEP expenses

– Jump Rope Coach training • Kangaroo Kids, facility rental, lunch

– $150.00 per club• Double Dutch ropes, CDs, videos, CD

players, posters, books

– $3.50 per youth enrolled in club• Jump rope

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

ClubExpectations

• Meet at least weekly• Include both nutrition and jump rope• Provide monthly Nutrition Education Activities

Report to county FSNEP educator• Submit follow-up evaluations to county FSNEP

educator

Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Next steps• State-wide• Develop a “campaign”

that supports program and promotes physical activity

• Hire a project leader• Continue in Baltimore

City