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Promoting healthier eating habits for lower socioeconomic children and families By Claressa Midgette

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Poor nutrition has manifested itself in the form of obesity in the United States. Over the last two decades, there has been drastic increases and the culprit is thought to be eating habits. A disproportionate number of such cases are minorities or the less fortunate. These groups will be the focus of Health for Prosperity. According to Adam Drewnowski, the author and researcher behind Fat and Sugar: An Economic Analysis, The economics of food choice may help explain why low income families have the highest rates of overweight. My venture seeks to incorporate access to healthy foods and the knowledge to effectively use this resource.

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If families of lower socioeconomic status have access to and knowledge about healthy foods, they will be less likely to be obese and pass on unhealthy habits to their children.

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For lower socioeconomic families to gain knowledge about and consume healthy foods in order to combat obesity, the following must be true: The program will be accessible and will pose no risk to the children or families involved The transaction to obtain the healthy foods must be stigma- free The families must be willing to participate in all phases The children must be receptive to knew food choices and eating habits The program must promote lifestyle changes to have lasting effects

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INPUTS Access to healthy food Information of healthy alternatives to current foods Meal planning Encouragement and child-involvement

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ACTIVITIES Providing food stamps redeemable on healthy foods only, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, bread, and nutritious snacks Informational sessions on how to prepare healthier versions of favorite meals Advice on how to eliminate unnecessary salt, fat, and sugar in diet

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OUTPUTS Fewer cases of high blood pressure, diabetes and other food related diseases Proportionate number of obesity cases in minority and poor communities as their counterparts Smaller consumption of foods high in sugar, salt and fat

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OUTCOMES Ability to access and choose healthy foods Knowledge to combat unhealthy eating and reduce the likelihood of obesity Skills to pass on to children in order to end the cycle of malnutrition and damaging effects of poor eating habits Improve quality of life

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GOAL ALIGNMENT As the program takes effect, the goals of the venture will be reevaluated to fit the needs of the population it is serving. Goals may be expanded, while other may prove to be futile or unrealistic in a real world application.

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IMPACT Outcomes, changes in the social system, minus what would have taken place without the program, equals the IMPACT. Health for Prosperitys impact will be an overall improvement in the eating habits, thus the health, of children and families in lower socioeconomic environments. Through this, we will see the reduction in obesity and other food-related diseases.

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Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5 Number of Families 50658095125 Cost of Services $60,000$78,000$96,000$117,600$150,000 Social Return +/- $1,200 The number of families would increase by about 15 per year, according to financial abilities. The social return is computed by approximating the amount of money saved from avoiding doctors and not missed work, yearly. The cost of services is estimated by the allotting each family $100 per month, yearly.

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Poverty has a profound effect on diet and much of this can be prevented or changed by education. Health for Prosperity seeks to inform children and families of low socioeconomic status of the benefits of eating healthy and skills to make this less of a task and more of an fun investment for the future.

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Drewnowski, Adam (2003). Fat and Sugar: An Economic Analysis. The Journal of Nutrition. Accessed from jn.nutrition.org on March 22,2009.