STATEWIDE DISSEMINATION OF A NUTRITION PROGRAM - SHOW THE WAY TO 5-A-DAY

Increasing nutrition education in elementary schools is a goal for all nutrition educators. However, adoption of nutrition programs and curr icula by busy teachers is a challenge. The ''Show the Way to 5-a-Day'' nutrition guide was developed to help young children increase fruit a nd vegetable consumption by having teachers partner with grocery store s to get produce contributed to the classroom. The guide was based on the principles of Social Cognitive Theory and developed and pilot test ed with input from elementary school teachers. The objectives of the c urrent project were to evaluate the systematic, statewide disseminatio n of this program; determine the importance of teacher training from t he state department of health; and determine the factors distinguishin g teachers who responded to and/or adopted the program from those who did not. Approximately 50% of teachers accepted a free guide and an ad ditional 50% of these ''respondents'' reported implementing it. Use of the program was positively influenced by teacher training and, aside from age, there were no significant differences between teachers who a dopted the program and those who did not.