A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE RETENTION OF FOODS AND NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF PARTICIPANTS FROM THE MICHIGAN EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (LOW-INCOME FAMILIES)

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine if participants of the Michigan Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program retain their improved food and nutrition knowledge and practice five years after nine months of EFNEP program instruction. The Michigan Family Fare Survey, the 24-Hour Dietary Food Recall (USDA score), and EFNEP Family Record are the data collection instruments used for this study.;The Michigan Family Fare Survey (128 points) is a pictorial assessment that measures participants' foods and nutrition knowledge and food practices in the categories of nutrition, food preparation, food shopping, sources of food and nutrition information, and food preparation tasks liked or disliked. The 24-Hour Dietary Food Recall (USDA score) analyzes the participants' diet by number of servings of food in each of the four food groups. The maximum score is 100 points. The EFNEP Family Record obtains the demographic information on the participants.;The major findings from this study show that EFNEP participants' USDA scores and Family Fare Survey scores are increased significantly due to EFNEP participation. Retention of these change scores for five years is also significant.;In summary, this retention study showed: (1) EFNEP participants had significant change on their Family Fare and USDA scores and retained this change over time. (2) EFNEP participants who entered with a USDA score of 0 to 50 points had the most significant change, over time, and they were able to maintain this change. (3) Minority participants who entered with low USDA scores (0 to 50 points) had the most significant change in scores. These participants retained their improved scores for five years. (4) A shortened EFNEP instruction period of nine months or less is effective in changing participants' food behavior and practice.;Participants included all homemakers (n = 444) who enrolled in EFNEP, October through November 1979 (pre-instruction). Post-instruction (Time 2) data collection occurred July through October 1980. Forty-five participants were interviewed July through August 1985 for the follow-up (Time 3) data collection.