Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1983

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr.

Committee Members

Robert S. Dotson, Etta Mae Westbrook

Abstract

This study Investigated the influence of personal and family characteristics of homemakers upon the number of home visits homemakers received from program assistants and upon the adequacy of homemakers' diets. The influence of home visits upon the adequacy of homemakers diets also was studied. The population studied was all homemakers in Lincoln County Tennessee who had been enrolled for two years or more in the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Program (EFNEP). The sample included 100 homemakers. Data were obtained from records maintained on each family in files of the Lincoln County Agricultural Extension Office. Oneway analysis of variance, Chi Square and the t-test were used to determine the significance of relationships. The 0.05 probability level was used to accept or reject null hypotheses. The data indicated that personal and family characteristics of homemakers did influence the number of home visits homemakers received from program assistants. However, little evidence was found to indicate that the adequacy of homemakers diets was influenced by characteristics of the homemaker or the family situation. Regarding characteristics of the homemakers and the family, as to the number of home visits received from program assistants, the study indicated that homemakers who lived in government housing, those who received food stamps, those who had less education and who were black, generally received fewer visits. However, differences were considered minor and often were not statistically significant at the 0.05 proability level. The number of home visits received by homemakers, their personal or family characteristics generally did not seem to have a significant influence upon the adequacy of homemakers diets. A significant number of homemakers did make improvements in their diets during the two years enrolled in the EFNEP. However, after two years in the program, the diets of a high percentage of the homemakers appeared to be inadequate in one or more of the four food groups. Homemakers made most improvements in the fruits and vegetables group and the breads and cereals group. This latter group also appeared to be the one where the largest proportion of the homemakers needed to make the greatest amount of improvement in their diets. This study seemed to suggest a strong need among EFNEP homemakers to continue to improve their diets after completing two years in the program. However, little evidence was found to indicate that extending the length of time homemakers remained in the EFNEP was desirable. Conclusions, implications and recommendations also were made.

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