AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Improving the Diet of Low-Income Families

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Improving the Diet of Low-Income Families

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What's New | April 25, 2012

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Improving the Diet of Low-Income Families

Low-income families face multiple challenges related to eating healthfully, including the relatively high cost of healthy foods, the lack of healthful choices in urban neighborhoods, and limited knowledge on how to prepare nutritious meals. Family-focused interventions can help overcome such barriers and promote healthy diets among low-income populations.

The featured Innovations describe two hospital-based programs— one that enhanced access to healthy foods and another that provided support to parents— aimed at improving the diet and overall health of low-income families.

The featured QualityTools provide information and tools for families, educators, and community leaders related to nutrition and the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.

Featured Innovations:

•  Group Sessions and Automated Phone Counseling Help Overweight Children in Low-Income Families Improve Health-Related Behaviors, Quality of Life, and Body Mass Index

•  Hospital Enhances Access to Healthy Food Through Onsite Pantry and Cooking Classes, Leading to Better Diet and Health for Low-Income Families

Featured QualityTools:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Connection Resource Library: Click n’ Go Education Materials
Developed by National Agricultural Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

• Toolkit for Intervention of Overweight Children and Adolescents
Developed by American Public Health Association

Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Health Plan and Psychiatric Hospitals Reduce Readmissions by Reviewing Data and Developing Strategies to Improve Postdischarge Care

• Multifaceted Program Helps Pediatricians Screen for Maternal Depression and Assess Infant Crying and Toilet Training, Enhancing Their Ability to Prevent, Identify, and Address Cases of Potential Child Abuse

QualityTools >

• Effective Health Care Program: Research Summaries for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers
Developed by Effective Health Care Program

• Effective Health Care Program: Tools and Resources
Developed by Effective Health Care Program