In FY98, sampling of clients for the dietary recall and behavior checklists was continued. Adjustments were made to the sampling quota used during the FY97 reporting year. The sample was drawn by the secretary in each unit and the Program Assistants were not involved in selection and were not told which of their clients were in the sample. The food recalls for the clients who were in the sample were randomly distributed at program assistant training for coding. The system was designed so that each PA coded a similar number of recalls and usually did not know which of their clients were in the sample.
Research indicates that dietary fiber plays a major role in health risk reduction.
Clients reported their Food Resource Management practices using a behavior checklist which allowed them to indicate frequency of the behavior. Improvement in these nutrition practices can save taxpayers and insurance companies a lot of money and assure a better quality of life for the individual. Research indicates that most of the food safety problems can be tied to improper handling of the food in the home. Seventy-nine percent of the clients were enrolled in one or more food assistance programs. The youth are from limited income households and are in the age range of 5-18.