Follow-up interviews show that 78 percent of the program participants now make more nutritious food choices. California Extension educators have helped low-income Vietnamese women obtain more calcium from foods they may be unfamiliar with, such as milk and cheese, and to eat the recommended number of servings from all of the food groups. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often not available on Indian reservations. Since the project started two years ago, the number of community gardens has grown from two to 56, and citizens are eating more fresh vegetables. No more puny babies.
Infants born to teen-age mothers have a lower chance of survival because of low birth weights.
A Georgia Extension educational program in one county taught pregnant teens about prenatal nutrition. Only 2 percent of participants' babies were born with low weight compared to 9.8 percent for the state. Positive benefits save money. In 1999, the results of two significant cost-benefit studies were released. Food companies and policymakers need detailed information on what, when and how much people eat to help them make decisions on labeling, marketing and recipe analysis.