A educação alimentar é uma abordagem reconhecidamente eficaz para transformação, recuperação e promoção de hábitos saudáveis, sendo muito utilizada no manejo dietético do tratamento da obesidade. No entanto, a manutenção da perda de peso nem sempre é satisfatória, dada a dificuldade de incorporação de novos hábitos como rotina de vida. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar mudanças comportamentais em adultos com excesso de peso após um programa educativo e os fatores associados à sua manutenção. Para tanto, dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos, de imagem corporal, fatores comportamentais e relativos à saúde foram coletados de 94 adultos com excesso de peso, de ambos os sexos, participantes do Programa de Educação Alimentar da Universidade de São Paulo - PRAUSP, no período de 2005 a 2009. Os indivíduos foram divididos nos grupos intervenção - GI (frequência mínima de 70%; n=64) e abandono - GA (frequência inferior a 30%; n=30) sendo que as informações foram obtidas no início (GI e GA) e final da intervenção (GI) por meio de um banco de dados, e no momento atual (GI e GA) por entrevista estruturada. Comparações intra-grupos foram realizadas para avaliar alterações ocorridas no decorrer do tempo e comparações entre-grupos para identificar as mudanças resultantes da intervenção e os fatores associados. Como resultados, houve predomínio de mulheres (71,8%), casadas (68,2%), com idade média de 43,5 anos e elevado nível de escolaridade (91,8% com nove anos ou mais de escolaridade), sem diferença entre os grupos. Os sujeitos do GI aumentaram o consumo de álcool, a mastigação e o fracionamento da alimentação, e reduziram a compulsão alimentar, as medidas antropométricas imediatamente após a intervenção (IMC = -1,4kg/m 2 ; circunferência da cintura = -5,5cm), e o risco de doenças cardiovasculares a longo prazo. Ambos os grupos apresentaram frequências elevadas de percepção corporal superestimada e insatisfação (GI=75% e 85,9%; GA= 81% e 95,2%, respectivamente). De modo geral, os participantes do GA apresentaram mudanças comportamentais pontuais, demonstrando grande heterogeneidade entre o grupo. Entre os fatores associados à manutenção das mudanças encontram-se a motivação para a perda de peso e melhora da imagem corporal, a presença de doenças associadas e do histórico familiar de obesidade, e a percepção distorcida e a insatisfação corporais. Como aspectos facilitadores foram apontados as melhoras obtidas e a força de vontade, e como dificultadores, os resultados lentos, a falta de tempo, a vida social muito ativa e o custo elevado dos alimentos. Conclui-se que indivíduos que finalizaram o protocolo (GI) realizaram mais mudanças comportamentais do que aqueles que abandonaram (GA), mas as alterações nem sempre foram mantidas no período posterior. O programa mostrou-se eficaz em promover modificações comportamentais, sendo recomendado considerar as características sociodemográficas e antropométricas dos participantes no planejamento das atividades a fim de subsidiar ações mais específicas e melhor prognóstico. A manutenção dos resultados constitui-se em um grande desafio aos profissionais de saúde devido à influência de fatores ambientais e culturais inerentes ao proceso de mudança. / Nutrition education is recognized as an effective approach for changing, recovering and promoting healthy habits, commonly used in nutritional management of obesity. However, the maintenance of weight loss is not always satisfactory, due to the difficulty in incorporating new habits as daily life routine. This study aimed to investigate behavioral changes in adults with excess weight after an educational program and the factors associated with its maintenance. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, body image and behavioral factors and health-related data were collected from 94 adults with excess weight, of both sexes, participants in the University of Sao Paulo Nutrition Education Program - PRAUSP, between 2005 and 2009. Participants were divided into two groups: IG (intervention group) (minimum frequency of 70%, n = 64) and AG (abandonment group) (frequency less than 30%, n = 30), with information being obtained at baseline (IG and AG) and at the end of the intervention (IG) through a database, and at present (IG and AG) by structured interview. Intra-group comparisons were performed to assess changes occurred over time and comparisons between groups to identify changes resulting from the intervention and associated factors. As results, there was a predominance of women (71.8%), married (68.2%), with a mean age of 43.5 years and a high level of education (91.8% with nine or more years of school education), without difference between the groups. Participants of IG increased alcohol consumption, chewing and fractionating of food, and reduced binge eating, anthropometric measures immediately after intervention (BMI = -1.4 kg/m 2 , waist circumference = -5.5 cm), and the risk for cardiovascular disease in the long term. Both groups had high rates of overestimated body perception and dissatisfaction (IG = 75% and 85.9%, AG = 81% and 95.2%, respectively). In general, participants of AG showed specific behavioral changes, showing great heterogeneity among the group. Among the factors associated with maintenance of the changes, there are the motivation for weight loss and improved body image, the presence of associated diseases and family history of obesity, as well as distorted perception and body dissatisfaction. Facilitating factors were identified as the improvements obtained and willpower, and as difficulties were the slow results, lack of time, a very active social life and high cost of food. It is concluded that individuals who completed the protocol (IG) had more behavioral changes than those who dropped (AG), but the changes were not always maintained thereafter. The program was effective in promoting behavioral changes, being recommended to consider the socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics of participants in planning activities, in order to support more specific actions and a better prognosis. The maintenance of the results is a great challenge to health professionals due to the influence of environmental and cultural factors inherent to the process of change.

Métodos de orientação alimentar mostram-se cada vez mais necessários diante do consumo freqüente e elevado de alimentos processados, ricos em gordura e açúcar, que promovem o crescimento da obesidade. No tratamento desta são necessários métodos de orientação alimentar com o propósito de favorecer a escolha pela alimentação saudável, fornecendo informação energética e nutricional, de modo a dar recursos para o comensal fazer melhores escolhas alimentares. Estudos sobre métodos de educação em saúde mostram que o uso de imagens, associadas à informação escrita ou verbal, podem favorecer processos cognitivos, como atenção e memória, além de favorecer a adesão às informações. O objetivo do estudo foi construir, validar e avaliar a memorização de orientações alimentares, transmitidas com o apoio de instrumento imagético, em mulheres eutróficas e obesas. Para a construção do instrumento, foram elaboradas fotos sobre quatro temas para compor o instrumento imagético: Vida doce, cuidando do açúcar, Comer bem fazendo as melhores escolhas, Comida gostosa e com pouca gordura e Cuido de mim com comida saudável. Cada tema continha cinco fotos. Os critérios utilizados foram imagens de impacto, que transmitissem informações aplicadas e que explicitasse aspectos negativos e positivos de princípios nutricionais. Foi realizada validação do instrumento por meio de métodos quantitativos, recorrendo a um questionário com escala Likert, e qualitativos, com uso de grupos focais. Participaram da validação 10 mulheres, 6 eutróficas e 4 obesas, para avaliar se as mensagens transmitidas pelo instrumento imagético eram condizentes com aquelas que se objetivava transmitir, e um grupo de 5 nutricionistas para validar tecnicamente o instrumento e obter sugestões a respeito do conteúdo do mesmo. O instrumento foi usado em oficinas de orientação nutricional e avaliado por meio de questionário estruturado com questões abertas e fechadas. Nesta etapa participaram 33 mulheres, entre eutróficas (n=18) e obesas (n=15). A orientação nutricional com o instrumento imagético foi realizada em grupos com 3 a 5 pessoas, em duas oficinas, cada qual abordando dois temas de fotos. Decorridos 30 e 60 dias destas intervenções, foi feita a reavaliação do peso das participantes e aplicado um questionário para avaliar a memorização delas quanto aos conteúdos abordados nas intervenções. Em todos os tempos avaliados, as mulheres obesas memorizaram mais as mensagens abordadas nas intervenções que as mulheres eutróficas, sendo que estas apresentaram uma diminuição da memorização das mensagens no primeiro intervalo de tempo analisado. Os temas de fotos mais memorizados por ambos os grupos foram aqueles com abordagem sobre conteúdo de açúcar dos alimentos e bebidas e comida saudável e, observou-se que o tipo de foto do instrumento influenciou na memorização das mensagens. Não houve variação significativa do peso entre as eutróficas e obesas nas avaliações feitas após as intervenções. O instrumento imagético se destaca como uma ferramenta a ser utilizada no tratamento e prevenção da obesidade, uma vez que se mostrou efetivo em veicular as mensagens pretendidas com as fotos, e aborda temas alimentares relevantes para a melhoria da alimentação do brasileiro. / Methods of food guidance have shown to be increasingly more necessary because of the frequent and high consumption of processed food, which have much fat and sugar, and contribute to obesity growth. In the obesity treatment, methods of food guidance are necessary to support healthy food choices providing energetic and nutritional information that possibilities the subject to make better food choices. Researches about health education methods show that the use of pictures closely linked to written or spoken text can markedly increase cognitive process, like attention to and recall of information, and supports adherence to it. The aim of the study was to build, validate and assess the memorization of food guidance, communicated with support of an instrument of images, in normal weight and obese women. There were made four themes of photos to make the instrument of images: Sweet life, taking care of sugar, Eat well doing better choices, Pleasant food and with little fat and I take care of me with healthy food. Each theme had five photos. The criterions used were impact images that convey information about negative and positive aspects of nutritional principles. The validation of the instrument was performed using quantitative methods, with Likert scale, and qualitative, using focus groups. Ten women participated in the validation, 6 normal weight and 4 obese, to assess whether the messages transmitted by the instrument were consistent with those that were aimed to convey, and a group of 5 nutritionists to technically validate the instrument and get suggestions about it. The instrument was used in workshops about nutritional guidance and validated by means of a structured questionnaire with opened and closed questions. Thirty-three women participated in this stage, between normal weight (n=18) and obese women (n=15). The food guidance with image instrument was done in groups with 3 to 5 people, in two workshops, each of it approaching two themes of photos. After 30 and 60 days of workshops, participants weights were reassessed and the women had to answer a questionnaire to assess their memorization about food information that was transmitted at the workshops. In all assessed periods of time it was observed that obese women recalled the messages addressed in the workshops better than normal weight women, and this last group showed a reduction recall of the messages in the first period of time assessed. The photos themes that were most recalled by both groups were those with approach on sugar content of foods and drinks and healthy food, and it was observed that the type of photo instrument influenced the memorization of the messages. There was no significant variation at normal weight and obese women weight after the workshops. The instrument of images stands out as a tool to be used in the treatment and prevention of obesity, since it was effective in transmitting the desired messages, and it covers food themes that are important to the improvement of the Brazilians diet.

Materiais educativos impressos são frequentemente empregados para a educação na área da saúde, pois permitem ao paciente realizar a sua leitura em diferentes locais, tais como, o domicílio ou trabalho, além de controlar a velocidade de leitura. Nessa vertente, desenvolveu-se um material educativo para educação alimentar e nutricional de pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2, composto por dois manuais. O Manual de orientação nutricional para pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 é um material educativo cuja finalidade é fornecer subsídios para a alimentação saudável e um plano alimentar individualizado, segundo as recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes. O Manual do profissional nutricionista é um material educativo com informações sobre como realizar a orientação nutricional. Porém, após desenvolver um material educativo é necessário avaliá-lo a fim de garantir a qualidade do mesmo. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar este material educativo segundo a análise de conteúdo e análise semântica. O estudo foi realizado em duas etapas: Revisão do Material Educativo e Avaliação do Índice de Legibilidade, e Análise de conteúdo por nutricionistas e análise semântica por pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Na análise de conteúdo foram avaliados o objetivo, o conteúdo educativo, o estilo de redação do texto, a aparência, a organização e a motivação da leitura do material educativo. Na análise semântica, foi analisada a compreensão dos pacientes quanto às mensagens de saúde descritas no manual dirigido aos pacientes. Participarem do estudo sete nutricionistas e 24 pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Os pacientes foram subdivididos em dois grupos denominados G1 (n=11) e G2 (n=13). Os dois grupos participaram da análise semântica. Os resultados apontaram que os itens do conteúdo analisado do material educativo foram considerados adequados para o público alvo, pela totalidade dos nutricionistas. Na análise semântica, os pacientes do G1 apresentaram dificuldade de compreensão do texto sobre diferença entre os produtos diet e light e redução de gorduras trans na alimentação. Para melhor compreensão foram adicionadas figuras ilustrativas. A partir destas modificações obteve-se melhor compreensão do texto pela maioria (90,91%) dos pacientes com DM2 no G2. Conclui-se, que o material educativo está adequado ao público alvo e a sua disponibilização para os pacientes com DM2 e para profissionais nutricionistas pode contribuir para incrementar o conhecimento sobre os benefícios da alimentação saudável e a adesão a terapia nutricional / Printed educational materials are often used for health education because they allow the patient to read them in different locations, such as home or work, in addition to controlling the reading speed. In this aspect, an educational material has been developed for food and nutrition education for people with diabetes mellitus type 2, consisting of two manuals. The Nutritional Guideline Manual for people with diabetes mellitus type 2 is an educational material whose purpose is to provide subsidies for healthy diet and an individualized food plan, according to the recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes. The Professional Nutritionist Manual is an educational material with information on how to perform nutritional counseling. However, after being developed, the educational material needs to be assessed in order to ensure its quality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate this educational material according to content analysis and semantic analysis. The study was conducted in two stages: Review of Educational Material and Readability Index Assessment, and content analysis by nutritionists and semantic analysis by patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. In content analysis, objective, educational content, text writing style, appearance, organization and motivation of the educational material reading were evaluated. In semantic analysis, the patients\' comprehension regarding the health messages described in the patient manual was analyzed. Seven nutritionists and 24 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 participated in the study. Patients were divided in two groups called G1 (n = 11) and G2 (n = 13). Both groups participated in the semantic analysis. The results showed the analyzed content items of the educational material were considered appropriate to the target audience by all nutritionists. In semantic analysis, G1 patients had difficulty in understanding the text on the difference between diet and light products and trans fat reduction in foods. Illustrative figures have been added for a better understanding. From these changes, a better understanding of the text was obtained by the majority (90.91%) of patients with DM2 in G2. We conclude that the educational material is appropriate to the target audience and making it available to patients with DM2 and professional nutritionists can help to increase knowledge about the benefits of healthy eating and adherence to nutritional therapy

A obesidade é um grave problema de saúde pública, tanto pelo seu impacto na expectativa média de vida quanto pela piora em sua qualidade. Dessa forma, a promoção da alimentação saudável é uma medida essencial que pode ser alcançada pela educação alimentar e nutricional (EAN), visando à conscientização da população em relação aos benefícios que bons hábitos podem oferecer por meio de diversas ações políticas e estratégias relacionadas a essa área temática. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os resultados de um programa de educação alimentar para perda de peso em relação à antropometria e à satisfação dos usuários. O estudo foi realizado a partir de um banco de dados do Programa de Educação Alimentar (PRAUSP), uma estratégia multiprofissional e interdisciplinar para indivíduos com excesso de peso com duração de 12 semanas, realizado no Campus de uma universidade pública. Coletou-se informações sociodemográficas e antropométricas iniciais e finais (peso, altura, circunferência da cintura-CC e circunferência do quadril-CQ) de 176 adultos de ambos os sexos, com excesso de peso, que participaram do programa entre 2007 e 2013. Ainda, foram utilizadas informações contidas no instrumento de Avaliação Final para avaliação da satisfação e mudanças alimentares e comportamentais adquiridas no período de intervenção. As medidas de peso e altura foram utilizadas para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e as medidas de circunferências, que também foram utilizadas para o cálculo da relação cintura-quadril (RCQ). Como resultados, verificou-se que a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (81,3%), com idade média de 45 anos (DP =12), casada (61,4%), com o ensino médio concluído (51,7%). O IMC médio dos participantes foi de 33,25 kg/m² (DP = 5,79) no início do programa e 32,13 kg/m² (DP = 5,72) após a intervenção (p=0,000). A circunferência da cintura (CC) média passou de 101,56 cm (DP = 12,29) para 97,99 cm (DP = 12,35) nas mulheres e de 118,84 cm (DP = 13,05) para 112,62 cm (DP = 11,67) nos homens (p=0,000). A relação cintura quadril (RCQ) também apresentou alteração na amostra total, reduzindo de 0,89 cm (DP = 0,08) para 0,88 cm (DP = 0,08) (p= 0,000). Observou-se que a perda de peso média foi de 3,5%. Sessenta e dois por cento das mulheres e 44,4% dos homens apresentaram perda de até 5%, enquanto 22,9% das mulheres e 42,5% dos homens obtiveram perda ponderal maior que 5%. A maioria dos participantes (84,1%) ficou satisfeita com a estratégia e apresentaram mudanças relacionadas ao hábito alimentar, como aumento do consumo de água e alimentos mais saudáveis, maior fracionamento das refeições e tempo de mastigação. Conclui-se que o programa de educação alimentar teve impacto positivo com resultados bastante satisfatórios, tendo sido bem avaliado pelos participantes. Assim, essa estratégia pode ser considerada uma iniciativa efetiva de EAN para o tratamento do excesso de peso e deve ser implementada em outros espaços comunitários nas áreas da saúde e educação / Obesity is a major public health concern because of its impact on longevity and prejudice in quality of life. Thus, the promotion of healthy eating is a key action that can be achieved by food and nutrition education (FNE). Its aim is to provide public awareness of the benefits of good habits through several political and strategic actions related to this subject area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of a nutrition education program for weight loss in relation to anthropometry and user satisfaction. The study was conducted from the database of the Nutrition Education Program (PRAUSP), a 12-week multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary strategy for overweight individuals, held on the campus of a public university. Initial and final socio-demographic and anthropometric information were collected (weight, height, waist circumference - WC, and hip circumference - HC) from 176 overweight adults of both sexes, who participated in the program between 2007 and 2013. Information contained in the Final Assessment instrument were also used for assessing satisfaction and dietary and behavioral changes acquired during the intervening period. Weight and height measurements were used to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) and circumference measures were used to evaluate the waist-hip ratio (WHR). Most participants were female (81.3%) and, on average, participants were 45 years of age (SD = 12). The majority of the sample was married (61.4%) and 51.7% had completed the high school. The mean BMI of the participants was 33.25 kg/m² (SD = 5.79) at the beginning of the program and 32.13 kg/m² (SD = 5.72) after the intervention (p = 0.000). Mean waist circumference (WC) went from 101.56 cm (SD = 12.29) to 97.99 cm (SD = 12.35) among women and 118.84 cm (SD = 13.05) to 112.62 cm (SD = 11.67) among men (p = 0.000). The waist-hip ratio (WHR) also changed in the total sample, reducing from 0.89 cm (SD = 0.08) to 0.88 cm (SD = 0.08) (p = 0.000). The average weight loss was 3.5%. Sixty-two percent of women and 44.4% of men showed loss of up to 5%, while 22.9% of women and 42.5% of men lost more than 5% of weight. Most of participants (84.1%) were satisfied with the strategy and presented changes related to eating habits, such as increase in water consumption and healthier foods, more fractionated meals and higher chewing time. It is concluded that the nutrition education program had a positive impact. Results were very satisfactory and the program was well evaluated by the participants. Therefore, this strategy can be considered an effective initiative of food and nutrition education for the treatment of overweight and should be implemented in other community spaces in the areas of health and education

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-12-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:01:34Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pereira_rcg_dr_arafcf.pdf: 515801 bytes, checksum: 86b28b3670f7aa8650f10be1dc29de63 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Alimentação e nutrição são de vital importância para a manutenção da vida e da saúde do ser humano em bom estado. O Brasil passa hoje por um processo de transição nutricional, no qual as doenças crônico-degenerativas ocupam papel de destaque em detrimento das doenças infecto-contagiosas, na população como um todo. Acredita-se hoje que a efetiva educação nutricional ocorra por meio de um processo participativo de aquisição de informações e conhecimentos sobre alimentação saudável, objetivando reduzir os problemas de saúde advindos da transição nutricional e outros que têm sua origem na alimentação e nutrição. A Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) é um modelo de atenção primária proposto pelo Ministério da Saúde que visa gerar modificações no padrão atual de assistência à saúde no Brasil, de modo que sejam concretizados os princípios que direcionam o Sistema Único de Saúde, incluindo a educação em nutrição em tais objetivos, tendo o Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) como um dos principais pilares desse processo. No presente trabalho propõe-se refletir sobre o processo de construção do conhecimento em educação e nutrição no âmbito da ESF do município de Araraquara. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas nas quais foram entrevistados 43 profissionais de saúde inseridos em seis unidades de saúde da família (USF). Os agentes comunitários de saúde compuseram 93,02% da amostra e os enfermeiros 6,98%. Os resultados revelam que há a necessidade de capacitação para os profissionais da atenção... / Food and nutrition are vital for sustaining life and health of human beings in good conditions. Today Brazil is going through a process of nutritional transition in which chronic-degenerative diseases occupy a prominent role at the expense of infectious diseases in the population as a whole. It is believed today that effective nutrition education takes place through a participatory process of acquiring information and knowledge about a healthy diet, aiming to reduce health problems arising from nutritional transition and others that have their origin in food and nutrition. The Family Health Strategy (FHS) is a primary care model adopted by the Ministry of Health that aims to fulfill the principles that guide the National Health System including education on food and nutrition in such goals. The model has in the Community Health Agent (CHA) one of the key pillars in this process. The present paper proposes to reflect on the process of knowledge construction in education and nutrition within the ESF in the city of Araraquara-SP. It is a qualitative research conducted from semi-structured interviews in which the respondents were 43 health professionals inserted in six family health units. The community health workers made up 93.02% of participants, and nurses 6.98%. The results revealed that there is need for training... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Master of Public Health / Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Health / Sandra B. Procter / There have been major shifts in the dietary patterns of people in the United States in the last four decades. People eat fast food more frequently, eating more convenience food products, and highly processed food. On the other hand, the practice of cooking from raw ingredients or cooking from scratch has been declining. The lack of cooking skills is one of the barriers of cooking from raw ingredients. Cooking skills are one of the important determinants of food choice. People who have higher cooking skills tend to choose healthier food options. There are many programs that aim to increase cooking skills and nutrition knowledge. One of them is done by EFNEP. Over the years, EFNEP has been helping the low socioeconomic population to reach nutritional well-being. Evaluation is an important component of EFNEP. There are evaluation tools in EFNEP including behavioral checklist and dietary recall that are administered pre and post program. However, these tools do not specifically measure participants’ cooking skills. A proposed short self-reported questionnaire is designed to measure cooking skills of EFNEP participants in Kansas. The questionnaire comprises of seven questions and has been tested to a representative group.

The purpose of the study was to determine if nutrition knowledge would increase, indicated by improvements in pretest and posttest scores, following implementation of a nutrition lesson plan. The subjects included 532 fourth through eighth grade students from Johnson County, a rural county in northeast Tennessee. The lesson plans and pretests and posttests were developed to be appropriate for each grade level, with increased complexity in higher grades. The principal investigator graded the pretests and posttests and analyzed the data using SPSS. The results showed a significant improvement from pretests to posttests for all grades given a p-value of <0.05.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to learn how cultural sensitivity was integrated and perceived in community nutrition education of an existing program offered by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program. Data collection consisted of a quantitative cultural competence assessment survey tool used with nutrition education paraprofessionals (n=74), qualitative in-depth interviews of nutrition education paraprofessionals (n=8) and focus groups of Hispanic/Latino nutrition education program participants (n=39). Findings were focused in three areas; the cultural sensitivity needs of the program, the perception of nutrition education by participants and the training and professional development needs of nutrition education paraprofessionals. Among the cultural sensitivity needs of the program identified were curriculum resource needs, community referral needs, the importance of community partnerships and the importance of incorporation of children in nutrition education were identified. Among the training and professional development needs of nutrition education paraprofessionals, a need for Hispanic cultural education, language services education and chronic disease education were reported. The value of cross-cultural exchange and the need for chronic disease education in relation to dietary habits were identified by the participant focus group findings.

The effectiveness of an eight-week nutrition and physical activity intervention at a summer camp to prevent obesity, and promote healthy eating habits and physical activity among children in Kuwait was studied. Two summer camps were recruited for intervention and comparison groups. Convenient sampling was used (N= 79). Pre-test/post-test assessment were used for the participants in the intervention and comparison groups. Modified Healthy Habits Survey (HHS) was used to measure children’s knowledge, behavior and attitude about nutrition, screen time and physical activities, BMI-for age percentile were collected. Statistical analysis included independent t-test, paired t-test, chi-squared test, McNemar's test, and multiple regression. Results indicated that there was a significant increase in nutrition knowledge score (Pp= 0.013, p = 0.007, p = 0.002, and p = 0.012, respectively). There was no significant decrease in the number of servings of unhealthy foods for french-fries and chips, fruit flavored drinks or soft drinks. The only significant decrease in the unhealthy food intake was seen in the number of servings of sweets and candies. Thirty-three-point-three percent of participants in the intervention group decreased their consumption of sweets and candies to 1 time or less per day (P=0.001). There was a significant increase in the intervention group in both physical activity and screen time knowledge (Pp

Suboptimal growth and nutritional status are problematic for children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Optimal nutrition predicts better lung function and longevity. Daily nutrition therapy for children with CF requires adequate food resources, knowledge of appropriate nutrition and behavior management skills, and confidence in one's ability to correctly apply the necessary skills. The Mountain West Cystic Fibrosis Consortium Questionnaire (MWCFC-Q) was designed as an educational needs assessment for parents of children with CF. The goal was to identify areas of concern that could be targeted for educational intervention to ultimately improve children's growth and nutritional status. Data analyzed from 305 returned surveys included household food security, use of food assistance programs, knowledge of nutrition and general CF therapy, and self-confidence in ability to manage CF care. Questions regarding food security and knowledge of CF nutrition and general therapies were multiple choice. A ten point Likert-type scale was employed for determining confidence around management of CF related issues. Respondents' median accuracy for questions regarding nutrient content of commonly used foods was 71.4% and 57.9% for CF nutrition therapy, respectively. Although overall confidence in CF management was high, scores for confidence in nutrition and behavioral management were significantly lower than for confidence in CF respiratory/medical management and CF Center recommendations. In the second phase of this project, a pilot study using the chronic care model was developed for enhancement of nutrition and behavior management skills of parents of children with CF. Participants attended a series of four classes, each with a short didactic presentation, group activity, and discussion. Important features of this evidence-based educational program included nutrition and behavior management, self-efficacy, problem solving skills, and peer mentoring. A pre-, post-, follow-up, follow-up format was used to evaluate changes in participants' knowledge and self-confidence regarding nutrition and behavioral management. Comparisons were made with responses to the mailed survey using the same questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were changes in the rate of weight gain and growth for participants' children with CF. Participants showed statistically significant improvement in knowledge of nutrition therapy for CF at post-intervention compared with respondents to the mailed survey.