Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 17, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 482-488

Providing Nutrition Education to Recently Resettled Refugees: Piloting a Collaborative Model and Evaluation Methods (Article)

Gunnell S.* , Christensen N.K. , Jewkes M.D. , LeBlanc H. , Christofferson D.
  • a Health Promotion and Human Development, College of Professional Studies, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, 1901 North Avenue, Stevens Point, WI 54481, United States
  • b Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
  • c Salt Lake County Extension, Utah State University, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • d Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science and Extension, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
  • e Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science and Extension, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States

Abstract

Resettled refugees experience high levels of food insecurity because of low English proficiency, limited job skills, and lack of understanding of the United States food system. This study evaluated integrating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) into English as Second Language (ESL) classes taught at a worksite- training program for recently resettled refugees and the feasibility of using food purchase receipts. A convenience sample of resettled refugees participated in SNAP-Ed one hour for 12 weeks during ESL classes. Food purchase receipts were collected for purchases one week prior to, first three weeks, last three weeks, and one week after classes. Participants were from 17 countries and 50 % completed 12 lessons. Fifty-nine participants turned in receipts and 93 % used SNAP funds. By integrating SNAP-Ed into ESL classes at a worksite-training center a hard-to-reach eligible population was reached. Further validation is needed to use food purchase receipts. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Nutrition education Refugees Assistance program Supplemental nutrition English as second language

Index Keywords

education male cultural anthropology female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics refugee language food assistance organization and management health education United States human Humans Refugees Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84902714416&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-014-0056-1&partnerID=40&md5=41bd200414709c91fb8830ba68f49330
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0056-1
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English