For useful websites, see the Nutrition Education section in Links & Resources.

Overview

We are developing culturally appropriate health and nutrition education materials as part of a community outreach project for Hmong and Cambodian populations at risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes.  Focus groups were conducted to understand any barriers and obstacles to making health behavior changes and to learn effective methods of delivery.  Based on the information gathered, three health tip sheets were created addressing the key areas of physical activity, healthy traditional dietary practices, and healthy choices concerning American meals and snacks.  Our goal is to integrate these culturally appropriate messages and materials into a diabetes prevention curriculum that will then be delivered by community health workers.

Timeline

Fall 2004 Accomplishments

• Literature reviewed
• Reviewed culturally appropriate methods for development of education materials
• Reviewed current EFNEP Asian, SE Asian materials and cultural food patterns and habits of Cambodian and Hmong
• Compiled information regarding the UC Berkeley Cambodian Students' Association for the focus groups and interviews

Student Researchers Involved:

• Michele Camozzi (Major: Anthropology)
• Helen Kim (Major: Nutritional Science and Toxicology)
• Kendra Kirkpatrick (Major: Nutritional Science and Toxicology)
• Lisa Masai (Major: Asian Studies)
• Miguel Rioux (Major: English, Minor: Spanish)
• Alanna Trotter (Major: Integrative Biology)
• Earliana Vang (Major: Integrative Biology, Minor: Classical Civilization)

Spring 2005 Accomplishments

• Redesigned materials
• Field testing of materials
• Reformatted Cambodian supplemental focus group questions

Student Researchers Involved:

• Michele Camozzi (Major: Anthropology)
• Helen Kim (Major: Nutritional Science and Toxicology)
• Lisa Masai (Major: Asian Studies)
• Lisa Peterson (Major: Anthropology)
• Miguel Rioux (Major: English, Minor: Spanish)
• Alanna Trotter (Major: Integrative Biology)
• Earliana Vang (Major: Integrative Biology, Minor: Classical Civilization)

Summer 2005 Accomplishments

Please note the following tasks are currently in progress:

• Refined the Hmong focus group questions
• Held two additional Hmong focus group sessions
• Incorporated the Hmong field testing suggestions into the nutrition education materials.