Abstract
To assess whether the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a cost-effective nutrition education intervention that generates sustained improvement in chronic disease biomarkers.
Site recruitment, participant recruitment and enrollment, and data collection (Biometric Data Form; EFNEP Adult Questionnaire; 24-Hour Dietary Recall; Health Questionnaire; Demographic Form) were the focus of project year two. Qualtrics surveys for data entry and a corresponding user manual were developed and refined. Initial planning for an online cost-benefit analysis tool was completed. Study methods were documented through a research methods manuscript submitted for publication.
In project year two, 53 sites and 304 participants were enrolled across 4 states (CO, FL, MD, WA). In total, 285 participants completed pre data collection (140 control / 145 intervention), 190 completed post data collection (87 control / 103 intervention), 87 completed 6mo-post data collection (32 control / 55 intervention), and 3 completed 12mo-post data collection (0 control / 3 intervention). Participant retention was 85% pre to post, 89% pre to 6mo-post, and 75% pre to 12mo-post. Biometric measures were collected pre, 6mo-post, and 12mo-post.
Preliminary analyses indicate intervention group participants’ BMI, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1C averaged 31.1 kg/m^2, 108.0 mm Hg/77.9 mm Hg, and 5.5% pre; and 31.5 kg/m^2, 114.5 mm Hg/80.1 mm Hg, and 5.5% 6mo-post. Control group participants’ BMI, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1C averaged 30.8 kg/m^2, 115.1 mm Hg/80.2 mm Hg, and 5.4% pre; and 31.5 kg/m^2, 118.5 mm Hg/84.2 mm Hg, and 6.1% 6mo-post.
Site recruitment, participant recruitment and enrollment, and data collection are ongoing. Data collected will be used in future analyses of the long-term impact of EFNEP on biomarkers of chronic disease risk and to conduct a biomarker cost-benefit analysis of EFNEP as an intervention for chronic disease risk reduction.