Nutrition And Health EFNEP

The EFNEP team provided a nutrition demonstration to Shiloh Camp & Adventure Course participants in Oklahoma City. The team, along with the help of youth volunteers, created a variety of healthy refreshing fruit smoothies. Representing SAAS are (adults left to right): Joshua Todd, Melvin Williams, Jeremiah Wilson, Dorothy Wilson, and Joshua Davis.

Teaching Nutrition and Health: EFNEP Makes a Difference

JOSHUA TODD, JOSHUA DAVIS, AND MELVIN WILLIAMS ARE NUTRITION EDUCATORS

WHO STRIVE TO HELP OKLAHOMANS EVERY DAY. THE THREE ARE MEMBERS OF THE

EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM, OR EFNEP, CONDUCTED BY

THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THE LANGSTON UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES (SAAS).

“ O ur mission,” Todd explained, “is to reduce food insecurity and related problems by teaching schoolage children and families with young children about nutrition and health.”

EFNEP is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture. Operated by land-grant universities, it reaches people throughout the U.S. and six U.S. territories. According to USDA, roughly 80 percent of families served by the program live at or below the federal poverty level and 70 percent are underserved minorities. The program uses dedicated staff to help its participants lead healthier lives.

INTO COMMUNITIES

The EFNEP team at LU-SAAS works to fulfill program goals in four areas: diet quality and physical activity, food choices for best nutritional quality, food safety, and food security. The program graduated more than 2,000 Oklahomans in 2019 and has served more than 20,000 in the 15 years it has been affiliated with the university.

“We go to schools, community centers, and churches where we can speak with adults and children about healthy lifestyles,” Davis said. “The choices our participants make regarding nutrition have a major impact (continues)

throughout their lives.” Todd most appreciates “helping participants shop smarter at the grocery store. Adults and children are often unfamiliar with nutritional labels, and everyone can learn more about stretching their food dollar.” For Davis, the most important thing EFNEP promotes is better habits to create healthier lifestyles. “Oklahoma is No. 8 in obesity nationally,” he explained. “The guidance we offer can have a life-long benefit for everyone in the home.”

Although the focus of EFNEP is on physical health, some participants need other kinds of support. “People face a wide range of emotional and personal issues that affect their overall wellbeing,” Williams said. Having a master’s degree in counseling, he knows from experience that, before some clients are ready to learn about nutrition, they may need to talk about life itself. When called upon, he is there to listen, be compassionate and empathetic, and lend a professional hand.

CHANGING LIVES

Ultimately, EFNEP is about teaching people to make optimal consumption choices and lead healthier, more active lives, as the following examples illustrate.

Program graduate Tabitha Green and her family have made important changes thanks to EFNEP. “Before the classes,” she said, “my husband and I lived a very sedentary lifestyle. I didn’t consider many physical activities enjoyable, but now, we enjoy many of the activities we learned in class. We now grocery shop together and cook meals using recipes we learned in class. We’re more physically active with our daughter and really enjoy walking together after dinner or going to the park on weekends. Also, we started our own garden, which helps us stay active and provides fresh vegetables for the family. Combined, my husband and I have lost over 20 pounds,” she added.

“I was overspending at the grocery story,” Anthony Payne recalled, “so my favorite part of EFNEP class was learning ways to save. I never used a shopping list before and often bought things I didn’t need. Now, not only do I create a grocery list, I also compare prices and use the unit price to see which packages are less expensive. I save $5 to $10 per shopping trip. I sometimes still make impulse purchases, but I’m getting better. I’m even learning learn how to use the internet to compare prices for even more savings.”

An Oklahoma County woman who prefers to remain anonymous described how her lifestyle has changed. “Before the EFNEP classes, our family was just going through the

EFNEP team members, (left to right) Joshua Davis and Joshua Todd, present a smart shopping exercise to eighth graders from Millwood Middle School.

motions when it came to eating. We didn’t think much about what we were doing, we were never consistent about reading labels, and we weren’t very mindful of what we ate. I often struggle with my weight and didn’t want my son to adopt my poor eating habits. Because of what we learned in the class, we now discuss portion sizes, and he understands the difference between an adult-sized portion for me and a child-sized portion for him. Honestly, he was upset with me at first because he wanted more than I was giving him. But he realized I was concerned for his health. Now, we read labels together and pay attention to calories, sugar, and sodium intake, and we make better food choices. In addition, I’ve been able to share the information I’ve learned with my entire family. Our communication and understanding about food and nutrition has improved greatly.”

“Oklahoma is No. 8 in obesity nationally. The guidance we offer can have a life-long benefit for everyone in the home.”

— JOSHUA DAVIS, SAAS NUTRITION EDUCATOR

THE WORK CONTINUES

Jeremiah Wilson, deputy associate extension administrator for SAAS, and Dorothy Wilson, director and state program leader for SAAS 4-H youth development and EFNEP, have been driving forces at LU-SAAS EFNEP for years. “EFNEP has been a very important part of my professional life,” said Jeremiah Wilson. “It was my job to build the program such that its impact on people’s lives would be tangible and meaningful. I am proud of what the program has accomplished in improving people’s consumption patterns and for the broad assistance we’ve given to many Oklahomans.” Dorothy Wilson echoed this sentiment: “Since its inception at LU-SAAS, EFNEP has had tremendous impact on the citizens ofOklahoma.” The differences that teachers Todd, Davis, and Williams have made — and will continue to make — in the lives of countless Oklahomans stretches beyond time spent in classrooms, churches, and community centers. Their lessons will endure. Davis reiterated how important it is “to reach these kids in school at a young age so they can practice good health throughout their lives.” Todd is certain that the EFNEP classes “positively impact young people and adults throughout their lifetime.” Williams said he only hopes “I have made differences in people’s lives, especially in pointing them in the right direction.” The attitudes of these three educators reflect the care and concern LU-SAAS EFNEP has for every Oklahoma participant.

For more information, please contact Mr. Jeremiah Wilson, jeremiah. wilson@langston.edu.