The number of lessons needed to maximize behavior change among Community Nutrition Education Program (CNEP) participants

Scope and method of study. The objective of this study is to determine the number of lessons needed in the Community Nutrition Education Program (CNEP) to produce a positive behavior change among participants. The results of this study will help CNEP personnel with program planning and delivery. We used de-identified, secondary, quantitative, data for FY 2007 from the Oklahoma CNEP. This included 4185 participants of which 2139 had complete data. The number of lessons was separated into four quartiles: (1) 6-8 lessons, (2) 9-12 lessons, (3) 13-16 lessons, and (4) >16 lessons. Pre and post CNEP surveys were used to measure nutrition related behavior change. A factor analysis was performed to identify correlated items on the survey. A one way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc were performed to determine significance between the number of lessons taught and behavior change.;Findings and conclusions. The factor analysis produced two components, shopping habits and food safety. The shopping habits component produced significant differences in behavior change between participants receiving 6-8 lessons and those receiving 9-12 lessons, and between participants receiving 9-12 lessons and >16 lessons. There was no significant difference seen between persons receiving 9-12 lessons and 13-16 lessons. The food safety component showed a significant difference in behavior change between participants receiving 6-8 lessons and 9-12 lessons. Although there was a significant difference in behavior change under the shopping habits component between 9-12 lessons and >16 lessons, it is concluded that the number of lessons needed to optimize behavior change and program efficiency in the CNEP is 9-12 lessons. These results can be useful in determining the minimum number of lessons needed to graduate from the program and also help determine the allocation of funds and time.