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Family & Consumer Sciences Program Highlights
Nutrition Programs
In an effort to help youth learn the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables in their diet along with regular exercise, the LSU AgCenter led a series of nutrition programs reaching students at Dorseyville, Crescent, North Iberville, East Iberville, MSA East, and Iberville Elementary Schools using the OrganWise Guys and Show Me Nutrition series.
In collaboration with Iberville Parish School Board’s SuperWHY Summer Camp, Head Start youth explored the Happy, Healthy Me nutrition and literacy curriculum learning the importance of fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, protein, and physical activity. Each class also traveled through BAC’s Germ Cave to see how germs are spread and how to keep themselves germ-free.
Campers at Dow Westside YMCA’s Summer Camp participated in a week-long Chef’s Camp to learn to prepare simple and healthy recipes for their families. In a 3-week period, more than 20 campers learned the importance of healthy eating and put it into practice by making recipes such as Fruit Salsa, Kickin’ Chicken Strips, and Cauliflower Pizza.
To empower adults to make smart choices for a healthier lifestyle, the LSU AgCenter conducts nutrition programs using the Let’s Eat for the Health of It curriculum at the Council on Aging in Plaquemine, White Castle, and Maringouin once a month, reaching over 100 Senior Citizens.
Outreach Methods:
State and Parish Facts
According to County Health Rankings, Iberville Parish is number 48 among 64 parishes in mortality and 62nd in morbidity, which refers to how healthy people feel while alive. 31% of the adults in Iberville Parish are obese.
In Louisiana, new data from 12,000, 2-19 year-olds, released by the LA Obesity Council indicated that 46.53% were overweight or obese. Children who are obese are more likely to become obese adults. Schools can make a positive impact on children's health by promoting physical activity, providing healthy foods, and educating children on nutrition. In 2009, only 25% of high school students met the recommendations for physical activity. Hunger and inadequate nutritional status can interfere with cognitive functioning and lead to lower academic achievement.
Local Issues & Plans for the year:
1. BodyQuest: Food of the Warrior
Childhood obesity prevention program to increase fruit and vegetable knowledge and consumption with third grade students. This series will be implemented in collaboration with Dorseyville Elementary and Iberville Elementary: A Montessori Program.
2. Continue to implement Nutrition Programming for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible clients:
Head Start classes and parent meetings
Elementary Schools
Food Banks
Senior Citizens
Local Health Unit/ WIC office
Health Fairs
3. Healthy Community Initiative in White Castle
4. Policies, Systems, and Environmental Change approaches
Iberville Parish FCS Profile August 2017pdf / 1.65MB