An Adapted Education Program To Increase Adherence To The Dietary Guidelines For Americans: A Feasibility Study

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) was culturally tailored in order to increase adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as the vehicle for preventing childhood overweight and obesity in Louisiana families. We Can! Louisiana is an educational program aimed at promoting adherence to the healthful food and physical activity recommendations set forth in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the resulting effect on reducing weight gain and the risk factors for obesity‐related chronic disease in parents and children in rural Louisiana communities. The education program designed with input from representatives of the target population including time and location of classes and selection of the healthy lifestyle promoter from the community, included topics gathered from the focus groups that were historical, social, cultural, and environmental in nature that influence health behavior of the target population. The We Can! Louisiana weekly parent sessions included food preparation instructions, physical activity and a period for participants to discuss progress and challenges in following recommended child feeding principles, and developing self‐efficacy and social support in meeting the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations. A gardening component was included to encourage adoption of the U.S Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The biweekly sessions were held with the children to reinforce the parental instructions. Parents and children demonstrated sustained interest in weekly nutrition and physical activities and offered suggestions for making the program interesting. Grant Funding Source : USDA/ARS project #58‐6251‐8‐041