Program situation and approach in louisiana, obesity and overweight have reached epidemic proportions

Our state is ranked 43RD in the country in obesity. However, we ranked 49TH in 2023. (2023 united health foundation's america's health rankings). The methodology used to target the snap-eligible audience in these COUNTIES will include delivering programming to individuals and families who are eligible for other means-tested federal assistance programs, at qualifying locations, and in locations where at least 50% of all persons have gross incomes at or below 185% of the 2024 poverty guidelines/thresholds (snap-ED plan guidance federal fiscal year 2025). The 185% poverty guidelines 2024 threshold for a family of two is $20,440 or $31,200 for a family of four. With these thresholds in mind, table 1.0 COUNTIES income compared to poverty threshold was developed for the parishes that reflect the median and per capita household incomes and the current poverty rates of each of the COUNTIES. Each COUNTY was then assessed whether the median incomes were above or below the 185% threshold for the poverty guidelines of 2024. Parishes for services provided: avoyelles, evangeline, and rapides. Southern university's efnep program targets youth and their PARENTS so that an integrated approach to educating the family is employed. We emphasize teachable moments that also involve the entire family in meal planning and preparation, and provide workspace, internet, and copy services to our nutrition educators when needed. Efnep's primary target audiences are low income families with young children and youth. The southern university AG center's efnep program will be delivered in after-school care programs, head start (PARENTS), community centers, and neighborhood groups including faith-based entities. Methods of program delivery will include teaching groups, in-home nutrition notes to PARENTS, and interactive hands-on group sessions (i.e., cooking school). Nutrition specialists and parish (COUNTY) staff will provide training for volunteers to assist with teaching the participants. Geographic area covered - louisiana parishes (COUNTIES) avoyelles, evangeline, rapides parishes program priorities 1. Increasing food resource management outcomes for adults and families - in louisiana, 21 percent of households with children are food insecure, and 15 percent are food insufficient. Our goal is to increase our average percentage of improvements by 2% each year for the number of individuals who plan meals, compare prices, do not run out of food, and use grocery lists. Specific strategies we will continue to implement are partnering with local agencies such as food banks and emergency food shelters for additional referrals for adult clientele and continuing to provide training to staff on effective teaching methodologies for adults. 2. Improving diet quality in adults and families - louisiana is ranked as the 4TH highest in the country on obesity. We aim to increase the number of positive nutrition practices efnep participants adopt by at least 2% for each of the next five years. Specific strategies we will continue to implement are partnering with local agencies for additional referrals of adult clientele and continuing to provide training to staff on effective teaching methodologies for adults. 3. Increasing food safety outcomes for adults and families - IT is estimated that some 20 ,500 people get infected by salmonella in louisiana every year. Food contamination can occur at any point along the food production chain. With that said, we will focus our efforts on having our clientele improve in daily food safety practices. Our overall goal is to increase our average percentage of improvement by 2% for the next five years. 4. Improving diet quality in youth - we selected diet quality because, in louisiana, obesity and overweight have reached the point of being epidemic. Louisiana is ranked the 4TH highest in the country for obesity at 38.1%. We aim to increase the number of positive nutrition practices efnep youth participants adopt by at least 2% for each of the next five years.