HEART HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATION IN MARATHON COUNTY

SITUATION
As a agent in Marathon County it is important to utilize both state team data as well as local data such as the “Life in Marathon County” survey for 2007-2009 and the “Marathon County Community Health Assessment 2006-2010”. While it is difficult to be able to accurately identify all programs and needs that will surface in a new county or position one is able to identify some key issues that will guide our work over the next year. Using both state and local data it is clear that health issues relating to being overweight and obese are increasing nationally, in Wisconsin and in Marathon County.

Community respondents to the Healthy Marathon County survey cited poor diet and inactivity as the fourth most important health problem in Marathon County. Key informants also affirmed obesity and nutrition as important issues facing Marathon County and listed diet and exercise as the third most important risky behaviors in Marathon County. Increasingly consumers are recognizing the need to become better informed about healthy lifestyle practices that affect their overall health and wellness and as a step toward disease prevention.

RESPONSE
Carattini, the Marathon County Family Living Agent partnered with the Marathon County Health Department and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin to offer a five part series on healthy cooking and food safety during “Wellness Wednesdays” in the Fall of 2008 at the Marathon County Aging and Disability Resource Center. Carattini taught three sessions on “Heart Healthy Cooking” and provided teaching materials for the food safety lesson as well.

RESULTS
There were a total of 20 participants that attended the three sessions taught by Carattini.  85% of participants rated the series as excellent and 100% of participants stated that they learned something new during the series. 75% of participants stated that what they learned will help them “cope” or “live better” at home and they were willing to try what they learned in the program once they returned home. When asked to comment on what they were going to do differently as a result of the program they listed; read labels more, compare similar products, new ideas to make foods in a healthier way, try different meats, try different herbs and spices and substituting lower fat items into recipes.

EVIDENCE
End of session evaluations were completed by 90% of the series participants. See above for the results. More heart healthy food preparation sessions will be held 2009 with the same partnership during “Wellness Wednesdays” through the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin and Marathon County Health Department.

Jackie Carattini, Family Living Agent - 2008 Success Story

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