Success StoryHealthier Choices for Hickman County



Healthier Choices for Hickman County

Author: Lisa Dodson

Planning Unit: McCracken County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Hickman County NEP paraprofessional taught twenty-five limited resource families how to serve more nutritious meals, to keep foods safe, and to utilize local food resources effectively.  100 % of NEP families made an improvement in the nutritional quality of their diet.     

59% of NEP graduate families consumed a diet of higher quality because they planned meals using My Plate, considered healthy choices, and used the "Nutrition Facts" label.  Families increased the frequency of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes per day, feeding their children breakfast daily, as well as demonstrating an improvement in safe food handling practices and hand washing behavior.

68% of families learned to plan meals ahead of time and use a grocery list to guide food selections. A 52% improvement was shown in food price comparison behavior. 

Families showed an increase in meals eaten and prepared at home.  There were fewer families who could not afford to eat properly.






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