Use of Home Study to Improve Nutrition Knowledge in Two Rural Counties of California

A home study approach to delivering nutrition education to rural low-income families was evaluated in two California counties. Low-income participants (N = 201), mostly Hispanic, were enrolled in a nutrition education program that covered basic nutrition in six mailed lessons. The study evaluated food-intake behavior changes using the 24-hour food recall. Significant improvements in nutrition-related knowledge and behavior were demonstrated by use of a Home Study Questionnaire (pre-/post-test). Other important results included reduced foods cost (from $288 to $271) with no apparent reduction in nutritive intake; self-reported changes such as increased consumption of beans, fruits, and vegetables; and decreased consumption of high-fat foods. Estimates of the cost of delivering this type of nutrition education program were low (approximately $64.00 per graduated or completed participant).