INFANTS, TODDLERS & CHILDREN

University of Connecticut
Department of Nutritional Sciences
The Cooperative Extension System

Hispanic Health Council, Inc.

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD (UConn)
Principal Investigator
e-mail: rperez@canr.cag.uconn.edu

Grace Damio, MS (HHC)
Co-Principal Investigator
e-mail: grace@hispanichealth.com

Anir González, BS (HHC)
FNP-IT Program Coordinator
e-mail: anir@hispanichealth.com

Publications and Presentations

During FY '97 - '98, FNP-IT faculty and staff presented scientific papers at the International Congress of Nutrition, Society for Applied Anthropology, Society for Nutrition Education, and Experimental Biology Annual Meetings. Articles have been published on diverse topics such as breast feeding, food insecurity, and folic acid and neural tube defects, among other topics.

Pediatric Obesity Project

The project looked at the determinants of obesity among low income Latino children living in Hartford. The study was designed and implemented by a UConn graduate student with support from the FNP-IT component.

Color Coded, Bilingual Food Label

A study was designed by a UConn graduate student with support from FNP-IT staff to develop a user-friendly food label for low literacy audiences through needs assessments and focus groups. The user friendly food label included color- coding, bilingual text, and a shaded food guide pyramid.

¡SALUD! Evaluation

A total of 206 Latinos were interviewed for the ¡SALUD! evaluation. On average, they were 32 years old, 83% were female, 64% were receiving Food Stamps assistance, and 72% were caretakers of children < 12 years. Over all, 77% have been exposed to the ¡SALUD! campaign through either radio PSAs, newspaper ads, bus signs, street billboards, bus stop shelters and/or television PSAs.

Project ANNA

Acculturation and Nutrition Needs Assessment (ANNA) is a study looking at how living in the United States influences the eating habits and affects the nutritional status of Hispanics in Hartford, Connecticut. The study is currently underway, and a goal is set for 250 interviews to be completed by September 30, 1999.

Policy and Media Coverage

In 1997, data from the needs assessment report conducted by FNP-IT were used to testify to the legislature in favor of the Food Stamp Waiver for able bodied adults. As a result, FNP-IT was invited to send a representative to the City of Hartford Food Policy Commission. FNP-IT findings and activities were also covered by the Hartford Courant, Hartford's T.V. channel 3, National Public Radio, and the United Nations Subcommittee on Nutrition Newsletter.