Relationships between selected personal and family characteristics of Tennessee EFNEP homemakers in extension district one and their increased use of food behavior practices upon graduation

The purpose of this study was to characterize selected Tennessee EFNEP homemakers as to their personal and family characteristics, their use of selected food behavioral practices, and to determine the relationships among these variables.

The “n^th” number sampling technique was used to randomly select 200 homemakers for this study. By selecting every eighth homemaker, 50 homemakers from each of the following counties. Dyer, Gibson, Henry, and Shelby Counties, were selected for this study.

The chi square test was used to determine the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Chi square values achieving the 0.05 level of probability were judged to be significant.

It was concluded that homemakers who graduated from the program showed increases in all 35 food behavior practices. One year after program exit homemakers continued to maintain and improve behavior practices in all 35 areas. Homemakers not having an adult male present in the home showed significantly higher increases than those with an adult male present in the home in their use of 5 of 35 food behavior practices. In the subsection knowledge of nutrition, homemakers not having an adult male present in the home were more likely to increase in their ability to name food group servings for family members and describe recommended serving size. Homemakers not having an adult male present were also more likely than those with an adult male in the home to increase their ability to plan before shopping, budget food resources, and use unit pricing and cost per serving. Homemakers with an adult male present in the home were more likely to show an increase in their ability to keep their kitchens clean. The presence of an adult male in the home was not significantly related to the other 29 practices.

Homemakers having four or more children in the home showed significantly higher increases than homemakers with three or less children in 2 of the 35 food behavior practices. Homemakers having four or more children in the home were more likely to increase in their ability to budget food resources and follow a recipe than those with three or less children.

Homemakers having nine years of education or more had significantly higher increases in their use of 2 of the 35 food behavior practices than those with eight or less years of education. Homemakers having nine years of education or more were more likely to increase their ability to use unit price and cost per serving and grow a garden for family use. Homemakers' educational level was not significantly related to the other 33 food behavior practices.

Homemakers living in rural areas had significantly higher increases in 3 of the 35 food behavior practices. Homemakers living in rural areas were more likely to increase in their ability to use unit price and cost per serving, grow a garden, and dispose of garbage properly than homemakers in urban areas. Homemakers' place of residence was not significantly related to the other 32 practices.

Homemakers' monthly income was significantly related to 3 of the 35 food behavior practices. Homemakers with a income under $315 per month were more likely than those with an income over $315 per month to increase in their ability to plan before shopping and budget food resources. The homemakers' monthly income was not significantly related to the other 35 practices.

Conclusions, implications, and recommendations were made.