Browsing by Author "Lovett, Kathleen"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Assessing Food Shopping and Preparation as a Mediating Factor Associated with Healthy Outcomes
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2013-10) Lovett, Kathleen; Hurtado, G Ali; Bain, Jamie; Sherman, Shelley; Katras, Mary Jo
    To understand the relationship of food shopping and preparation of USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) key nutrition messages have on other key nutrition messages, a quasi-experimental design was developed using data from Minnesota’s 2012 SNAP-Ed evaluation system. SNAP-Ed participants attended a series of nutrition education classes delivered by Extension staff along with schools and community-based organizations and completed a retrospective evaluation survey. Correlations were used to assess self-reported changes for the food shopping and preparation key message. Results found that food shopping and preparation key message was significantly correlated with other key messages and mediation association of food shopping and preparation with low-fat calcium-rich foods, limiting added sugar, food safety and increasing physical activity were also significant. Food shopping and preparation key message is relevant when discussing other nutrition concepts and in future program development and research.
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    Energizing SNAP-Ed: Using Physical Activity to Inspire Diet and Lifestyle Changes
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2012-10) Lovett, Kathleen; Johnson, Betsy; Caskey, Mary
    The University of Minnesota SNAP-Ed program adapted, with permission from North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction and East Carolina University’s Activity Promotion Lab, a set of Energizers. Energizers are five- to tenminute physical activities that focus on an educational concept. The Energizers were adapted by Community Nutrition Educators (CNEs) across the state to focus on nutrition. In addition, the activities were edited to ensure adaptability across a wide variety of audiences and for ease of teaching. Each Energizer for Simply Good Eating activity is available as an electronic document that can be downloaded from the University of Minnesota Extension website individually or as a set of 53. Energizers for SGE require little or no preparation or equipment and can be adapted to fit the time available during the nutrition lesson. For example, “Pass the Salmonella, Please” is an Energizer that works with all ages to reinforce food safety messages. The CNE coats a rubber chicken with a gel to simulate germs, participants pass the chicken around to music, then examine their hands under a black light to demonstrate how bacteria are spread in the kitchen. Energizers were finalized for use by CNEs to bolster existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) for low-income families to help increase the likelihood that participants will make positive dietary and lifestyle choices on a limited income. University of Minnesota Extension reports 62 percent of participants attending SNAP-Ed classes with an Energizer responded “I am now more physically active as a result of this class.
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    Planning for Success in the SNAP-Ed Classroom: Strategies for Engaging Modern Learners in Health & Nutrition
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2013-10) Sherman, Shelley; Hurtado, G.Ali; Marczak, Mary; Letourneau, Sue; Perdue, Laura; Barno, Christine; Lovett, Kathleen; Brady, Alison
    This poster describes the program implementation of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) in Extension. The presentation will focus on planning strategies for successful program delivery. We conducted an Implementation Evaluation using multiple method case studies. Data sources included interviews with facilitators and participants, observations, and surveys. Evaluators transcribed and coded 15 interviews with SNAPEd participants and educators to better understand what types of session planning strategies contribute to effective implementation of health and nutrition programs. The interviews asked whether these strategies engaged new learners, as well as how planning contributes to classroom management and the quality of the learning environment. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to great SNAP-Ed implementation, skilled session planning strategies can be used to effectively engage learners in a low-tech, yet highly interactive classroom. Furthermore, content adaptation during implementation was relevant to connect participant immediate needs with program objectives/ goals. Considerations for program planning are explored.
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    Transforming the School Cafeteria Environment in Hennepin County
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2013-10) Lovett, Kathleen; Caskey, Mary; Schroeder, Mary; Kunkel, Kelly
    In an effort to decrease chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, Hennepin County Public Health secured a five-year Community Transformation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As part of this grant, Hennepin County Public Health recognized a need to ensure food service staff are properly trained to support healthy eating initiatives such as increasing student intake of fruits and vegetables. Extension’s strong history of impactful school food service trainings, Hennepin County Public Health contracted with Extension’s school food service team to conduct trainings. Training objectives include: 1) Improving the culinary skills of foodservice staff to prepare fruits and vegetables, including locally grown, that appeal to students; 2) implementing behavioral economic techniques to increase student consumption of fruits and vegetables. To date, this training has been conducted in seven school districts reaching more than 400 participants.