Research

Research studies listed have been compiled by the Cooperative State, Research, Education and Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture, February, 2005.

Program Research Links

A Virginia study of EFNEP found that for every $1 invested in the program, there was a $10.64 savings in potential health care costs. http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nutrtion/490-403/490-403.html

A Tennessee study of EFNEP found that for every $1 invested in the program, low-income families saved an average of $2.48 on food expenditures. http://fcs.tennessee.edu/efnep/tncba.htm

Impacts of the program are strongly documented in several research studies extending over a period of time. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/efnep/pdf/research_studies.pdf

Program Research Bibliography

Selected Research Studies to illustrate the Scope and Impact of EFNEP

The studies listed in this section are a small sample of the over 200 articles that have been published on EFNEP. Throughout its history, EFNEP has built a strong research base to assure the effectiveness and quality of the program. This knowledge has been shared with and used by many other nutrition education efforts.

Research studies listed have been compiled by the Cooperative State , Research, Education and Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture, February, 2005.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Rajgopal, R., et. al. Cost-benefit analysis indicates the positive economic benefits of the expanded food and nutrition education program related to chronic disease prevention, J Nutr Ed & Behavior. 34(1): 26-27, 2002.
Burney, J. and Haughton, B. EFNEP: A nutrition education program that demonstrates cost-benefit. J Amer Dietet Assoc. 102: 39-45, 2002.
Disborw, D. D. Ambulatory nutrition care: children; J Amer Dietetic Assoc. 86(4): s17-s21, 1989.
Cost Benefit Study of California EFNEP

Disease Prevention

Susiyanti, A. E., et. al. Calcium intake, attitudes toward calcium-containing foods, and number of risk factors for osteoporosis in two groups of 18-35 year-old women, Nutrition Research. 16(8): 1313-1329, 1996.
Cox, R., et. al. Impact of a cancer intervention on diet-related cardiovascular disease risks of white and African-American EFNEPclients, J Nutr Educ. 28(4): 209-218, 1996.

Retention of Knowledge and Improved Practices

Arnold, C. G., Sobal, J. Food practices and nutrition knowledge after graduation from the expanded food and nutrition education program, J Nutr Educ. 32(3): 130-138, 2000.
Brink, M.S. & Sobal, J. Retention of nutrition knowledge and practices among adult EFNEP participants, J Nutr Educ. 26(2): 74-78. 1994.
Torisky, D. M. Virginia EFNEP homemakers' dietary improvement and relation to selected family factors, J Nutr Educ. 21(6): 249-258, 1989.

Staff Evaluation

Wakou, B. A., et. al. Personal attributes and job competencies needed by EFNEP paraprofessionals as perceived by EFNEP professionals, J Nutr Educ and Behavior. 35(1): 16-23, 2003.
Bremmer, B., et. al. Comparison of the beliefs and practices of EFNEP clients with staff perceptions of clients, J Nutr Educ. 26(3): 123-130, 1994.
Reames, B. & Burnett, M. F. Weight management practices of black paraprofessional women, J Am Diet Assoc. 91(7): 841-843, 1991.
Santopolo, F. A. & Kell, K. Paraprofessionals: critical job requirements, J Extension. 14:6-10, 1976.
Kohn, H., et. al. A follow-up study of former paraprofessional aides in Nebraska 's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Lincoln , Neb. : Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln , 1975.

Impact Studies

Dollahite, J., et. al. The impact of nutrition education on food security among low-income participants in EFNEP. Family & Consumer Sciences Research J. 32(2): 127-139, 2003.
Dollahite, J. & Scott-Pierce, M. Outcomes of individual vs. group instruction in EFNEP [electronic resource]. Journal of Extension (Online) 41(2): 2003. http://www.joe.org/
Derrickson, J. & Gans, D. A. Assessment of dietary intake and food-related behaviors of gatekeepers in homeless families in Hawaii , Journal of Nutr Educ. 28(3): 168-173, 1996.
Hartman, T. J., et. al. Focus group responses of potential participants in a nutrition education program for individuals with limited literacy skills, J Am Dietetic Assoc. 94(7): 744-748, 1994.
Armstrong, J. E., et. al. The effect of changes in recruitment and instruction on characteristics of EFNEP enrollees and graduates, J Nutr Educ. 24(2): 87-90, 1992.
Armstrong, J. E. & Butkus, S. Evaluationg EFNEP audience change through attrition patterns. Home Economics Research J. 20(3): 198-206, 1992.
Hertzler, A. A. & Frary, R. B. Effect of instruction and family attributes on iron intake of expanded food and nutrition education homemakers. Topics in Clinical Nutrition. 4(1): 27-35, 1989.
Randall, M. J., et. al. EFNEP: an investment in America 's future. J Nutr Educ. 21(6): 276-279, 1989.
Del Tredici, A. M., et. al. Evaluation study of the California expanded food and nutrition education program: 24-hour food recall data. J Am Dietetic Assoc. 88(2): 190-195, 1988.

Extending EFNEP's Reach

Sahyoun, N. R., et. al. Evaluation of nutrition education interventions for older adults: a proposed framework. J Am Dietetic Assoc. 104(1): 58-69, 2004.
Emmons, K. M., et. al. Nutrition education for cancer prevention among low-income populations: an extension of the EFNEP model. J Nutr Educ. 31(1): 47-53, 1999.
Kennedy, L. A., et. al. Nutrition education program based on EFNEP for low-income women in the United Kingdom : "friends with food." J Nutr Educ. 30(2): 89-99, 1998.

Breastfeeding and/or Pregnant Women

Pachon, H. & Olson, C. Retrospective analysis of exclusive breastfeeding practices among four Hispanic subgroups in New York 's EFNEP. J Nutr Educ. 31(1): 39-46, 1999.
Bergman, M. S. Improving birth outcomes with nutrition intervention. Topics in Clinical Nutrition. 13(1): 74-79, 1997.
Cadwallader, A. A. & Olson, C. M. use of a breastfeeding intervention by nutrition paraprofessionals. J Nutr Educ. 18(3): 117-122, 1986.
Bowering, J. Role of EFNEP aides in improving diets of pregnant women. J Nutr Educ. 8(3): 111-117, 1976.

Program Delivery

Lucia, B. H. D., et. al. Dietary changes by expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP) graduates are independent of program delivery method. [electronic resource]. Journal of Extension (online). 41(3): 2003. http://www.joe.org/joe/2003june/rb5.shtml .
Honnold, R., et. al. Cost effectiveness of three nutrition education delivery systems: a Vermont-Nevada project comparing three systems within the EFNEP program to reach food stamp families in both urban and rural settings. University of Vermont , 1981.

Program Evaluation

Bowens, J., et. al. Development of a food practice checklist for use with low-literacy homemakers in EFNEP. J FAm Consum Sci. 87(2): 35-42, 1995.
Hartman, T. J., et. al. Evaluation of the literacy level of participants in an urban expanded food and nutrition education program. J Nutr Educ. 26(1): 37-41, 1994.
Anderson, J. E. L. EFNEP evaluation in Colorado using a simplified progression form. J Nutr Educ. 20(5): 227-231, 1988.
USDA. Science and education administration. Using the progression model. USDA, 1979.
Carruth, B. & Anderson, H. L. Scaling criteria in developing and evaluating an attitude instrument. J Am Dietetic Assoc. 70(1): 42-47, 1977.