Objective: The objective
of this study is to determine the number of lessons needed in the Community Nutrition
Education Program (CNEP) to produce a positive behavior change among participants. The results of this study will help CNEP
personnel with program planning and delivery.
Methods: We used
de-identified, secondary, quantitative, data for FY 2007 from the Oklahoma
CNEP. This included 4185 participants of
which 2139 had complete data. The number
of lessons was separated into four quartiles:
(1) 6-8 lessons, (2) 9-12 lessons, (3) 13-16 lessons, and (4) >16
lessons. Pre and post CNEP surveys were
used to measure nutrition related behavior change. A factor analysis was performed to identify
correlated items on the survey. A one
way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc were performed to determine significance between
the number of lessons taught and behavior change.
Results: The factor
analysis produced two components, shopping habits and food safety. The shopping habits component produced
significant differences in behavior change between participants receiving 6-8
lessons and those receiving 9-12 lessons, and between participants receiving 9-12 lessons and >16
lessons. There was no significant
difference seen between persons receiving 9-12 lessons and 13-16 lessons. The food safety component showed a
significant difference in behavior change only between participants receiving
6-8 lessons and 9-12 lessons.
Conclusion: Although there
was a significant difference in behavior change under the shopping habits
component between 9-12 lessons and >16 lessons, it is concluded that the
number of lessons needed to optimize behavior change and program efficiency in
the CNEP is 9-12 lessons. These results
can be useful in determining the minimum number of lessons needed to graduate
from the program and also help determine the allocation of funds and time.