May 11, 2006

HOUSTON—Teaching parents how to teach their children healthy eating habits at home is the focus of a new curriculum of the Expanded Nutrition Program of Texas Cooperative Extension.

"Studies from a number of sources demonstrate that most of a child's food habits are developed at home," said Mary Hall, Extension agent for the Expanded Nutrition Program in Houston. "Families have a major responsibility for encouraging their children's healthy food choices."

For more than 30 years, the Expanded Nutrition Program has provided basic nutrition education to youth and adults in limited resource families. The new curriculum, "Creating Healthy Home Eating," includes research about the eating habits adults are teaching at home, Hall said.

Parents are asked to evaluate their home-food environment, set goals for making healthier purchases and create positive family eating behaviors that relate to the eight nutrition lessons in the series. They will also develop an action plan for achieving the goals by overcoming perceived barriers about eating habits and learning tips on how to teach their children healthy attitudes toward food, she said.

"I have definitely changed the way I shop," said Veronica Suarez Miranda, a participant in a class offered to Pasadena Independent School District interpreters. "I know not to go grocery shopping when I'm hungry, and I always have my list with me now."

Clients complete a questionnaire, and are weighed and measured before and after the nutrition series. The research project, in cooperation with the Children's Nutrition Research Council and Baylor College of Medicine, includes an incentive for participation. Participants are paid $20 to give their measurements before and after the class and again four months later, Hall said.

"This type intervention is unique in that it focuses on family goal setting to achieve buying and parenting behaviors that encourage healthy eating," she said.