Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program Lisa Lachenmayr Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program University 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 Objectives Identify: 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 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 year old girls spent time with peers 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 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 (4-8 th 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 –$ 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

Club Expectations 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