Creating a Plan for Action: Extension’s In- and Out-of-School Programs Kerry Seymour, MS, RD Western Area Nutrition Specialist

Elementary School-Based Nutrition Programs

Out-of-School Nutrition Programs Small Steps 4 Big Changes Pilot Summer Program – Carson City

Common Characteristics  USDA SNAP-Ed funded  At-risk, under-served audiences  Promote obesity-risk reduction behaviors  In-school programs partner with WCSD’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program  Evaluation component

 Uses “Train-the-trainer” model to increase teachers’ confidence, competence in delivering nutrition education

 Audience: K-6 teachers and students  3-5 schools per year for 3-years  In-service presentation on childhood obesity  2-3 grade-specific MyPyramid for Kids nutrition lessons per class  3 Newsletters + Parent outreach

 9 schools (multi-year participation)  125 parents  196 nutrition lessons  225 teachers (lessons)  511 teachers (in-services)  6,376 students (lessons)  4,965 students (school-wide fruit-tasting events)

Results Significant increases (p <.05) were seen in…  Awareness of MyPyramid for Kids concepts  Understanding of the Dietary Guidelines  Understanding and support of the School District Wellness Policy  Preparedness to teach  Amount of nutrition content taught

 Conducted in schools with predominantly American Indian students  10-lessons based on modified MyPyramid for Kids  Assessment of knowledge, attitude and self- reported behaviors

Results

Objectives  Increase exposure to vegetables and fruits, including traditional Native American foods  Promote substitution of water for sweetened beverages  Promote daily physical activity  Provide gardening experiences  Engage the parents

Results

 4 schools - multi-year participation  166 students - lessons  715 students and 75 teachers - 6 school-wide events

Results  Knowledge gains in ability to name MyPyramid for Kids food groups  Improvement in recognition and identification of selected vegetables  Increased willingness to sample vegetables not previously tasted  Increased preference

Results (cont.)  A trend toward improvement in beverages choices  An increase in self-described physical activity  Extension publication of grade specific curriculum manuals  Hoop houses built

 Create a nutrition curriculum enhanced by school garden experiences  Promote obesity risk-reduction behaviors

 418 students  172 classroom lessons  220 students participated in the summer programs and school-wide events.  108 parents participated in out-of- school events with 18 serving as garden volunteers.

Results  Increased ability to name MyPyramid food groups  94 % of students willing to sample all fruits and vegetables offered  Reported increases in fruits and vegetables consumed  Reported increases in physical activity

USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Year Award ~# Students # Schools Washoe County School District  ‘09 $171,372 3,500 7  ‘10 $466,234 6,  ‘11 $508,865 10, Lyon County School District  ‘

Out-of-School Nutrition Programs Small Steps 4 Big Changes  Children, youth and families  4 Reno Housing Authority sites  /2 hour lessons Nutrition education Physical activity Recipe + sampling

Community and School Gardens – Part of the Solution?  Food security  Access to vegetables and fruits (V/F)  Repeated exposures effects preference  V/F intakes inverse relationship to obesity-risk

School and Community Gardens “Support” Group Resource for garden development  Opportunity to network  Free seeds and seedlings  Access to references and funding  Extension Master Gardeners

Contact Information  Kerry Seymour, MS, RD Phone: (775)