| The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) includes programs and educational curricula that promote healthy behaviors for people receiving nutrition assistance benefits, or eligible for benefits. This study investigated whether information given to children through SNAP-Ed nutrition education programs implemented in schools was taken home to educate parents. After programs were delivered to students by Mississippi State University Extension Service Nutrition Educators, parents (N=302, response rate=43.1%) of elementary students in eight public schools in Jackson, Mississippi, reported changes they made in their households. These changes included eating more fruits and vegetables or trying different fruits and vegetables, and being more physically active (p<0.001). A majority (63.9%) of parents reported that after their children participated in nutrition education programs, their children talked to them about healthy foods, and 73.2% reported their children asked for more fruits, vegetables, milk, or yogurt. Teachers (N=19, response rate=38.0%) rated the SNAP-Ed education programs favorably. |
