About Us
County Impact Statements - Phillips County
Extension Nutrition Program Helps Families Improve Health
Five of the major causes of death in Arkansas are lifestyle-related chronic
diseases. Lifestyle factors, such as diets high in fat and low in fruits and
vegetables, lack of physical activity and smoking increase the risks of chronic
diseases.
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) objectives are to
help limited resource families and youth acquire the knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets and to
contribute to their personal development. Improve diets and nutritional welfare
for the total family.
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Program proved to be beneficial in more ways
than one. Mrs. Leola Williams recently graduated from the EFNEP program. She
stated "I used my certificate to get a job as kitchen manager. The material I
learned about menu planning has helped me to plan balanced and nutritional meals
as well as made by job easier". She further stated, "I also learned how to
prepare a shopping list and understand the food guide pyramid. I think this is a
very good program so keep up the good work. EFNEP has truly impacted my life".
A 26 year old mother had asthma as well as some of her children. When she
enrolled in the program she was pregnant, a heavy smoker, and had frequent
asthma attacks. The program assistant told her the effects smoking had on her
unborn baby and on her asthma. The homemaker stopped smoking and does not allow
anyone to smoke in her home. Now she never has asthma attacks. She feels the
information learned from the program has improved her health.
Barbara Bowman, Program Assistant, teaches EFNEP youth group Art
of Jelly Making
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Impacts
- A total of 263 families enrolled in the program October 2000 to
September 2001.
- 200 families reported increasing their consumption of fruits and
vegetables.
- 75 families decreased consumption of fats/unsaturated fats.
- 87 homemakers reported having enough to eat throughout the month without
having to seek emergency food assistance.
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