Framework Component
Population Results - Trends and Reductions in DisparitiesIndicator Description
This indicator represents whole grains consumption over time, from year to year, of the SNAP-Ed eligible population of the state or project area. Unlike MT1 and LT1 (Healthy Eating Behaviors), which measure frequency of grains consumption attributed to SNAP-Ed series-based programs, R3 is intended to measure the proportion of the SNAP-Ed eligible population that is achieving the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations. Thus, R3 measures whole grains status for low-income households surveyed within the state or area of focus. R3 is a population-level surveillance measure.Background and Context
The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that Americans make half their grains whole, and total daily grains intake should range from 3 to 7 ounces depending on daily calories consumed. The recommended amount of grains in the Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern at the 2,000-calorie level is 6 ounce-equivalents per day. Half of these grains should be whole either in the form of single grain foods or products that include grains as an ingredient. Most Americans are not meeting whole grains recommendations. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describe that eating more whole grains, particularly those high in dietary fiber, especially helps adults to feel full longer and prevent weight gain. Increasing whole grains consumption is an important obesity prevention strategy.
Indicator R3 measures whole grains consumption among low-income children and adults. Unlike R2 (Fruits and Vegetables), there are no validated public health surveillance questions for assessing intake of grains currently in practice. Surveys such as the BRFSS and YRBSS abandoned these questions in previous years. USDA previously administered the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey to assess consumers' adherence to whole grains recommendation. Several industry trade groups, such as the Whole Grains Council, administer market research surveys, but these surveys have not been tested for the SNAP-Ed eligible audience.
Practitioners may use the aforementioned survey questions, choose among 24-hour dietary recall instruments or food frequency questionnaires, or use results from Healthy Eating Index (see R1) to track the whole grains outcome measures and calculate if half of grains consumed were whole. Alternatively, customized surveys may include pictorial representations of grains of interest for the population and allow participants to choose which types of grains they eat per day, per week, or other frequency.
One of the biggest challenges for this indicator is determining whether participants eat 100 percent whole grain products; according to Kantor et al. (2001), consumers may struggle with identifying whole grain foods. Thus, program evaluators should use commonly known whole grain foods (e.g., pasta, rice, bread, or tortillas).
Outcome The desired benefit, improvement, or achievement of a specific program or goal. Measures
Number or percent of SNAP-Ed eligible persons The target audience for SNAP-Ed, specifically SNAP participants and low-income individuals who qualify to receive SNAP benefits or other means-tested federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. who:
- R3a. Ate whole grains more than one time per day
- Cooked grains (pasta, rice, other)
- Ready-to-eat grains (bread, cereal, tortillas, other)
- R3b. Ate refined grains less than one time per day
- Cooked grains (pasta, rice, other)
- Ready-to-eat grains (bread, cereal, tortillas, other)
- R3c. Made half their grains whole
What to Measure
Conduct a population-level assessment of whole grains intake using either a validated survey instrument or a 24-hour recall. Administer surveys to participants using interval measures, which are standard units, such as times per day that grains were consumed. Compare whole grain consumption to refined grain consumption, particularly grain-based desserts that represent empty calories and should only be consumed once in a while. Survey questions should tease out different types of grains, including those that are ready-to-eat and those that are cooked, which can be tracked separately or aggregated for purposes of reporting.Population
Youth (pre-school and above) or AdultsSurveys and Data Collection Tools
ADULTS
CHILDREN & YOUTH
PRESCHOOLERS
Key Glossary Terms
Population-based data collection The inclusion of a total population, e.g., your entire core SNAP-Ed population, or a representative sample (at least 15%) from each funded partner/subcontractor. , Refined grains Grains that have been milled to give them a finer texture and improve their shelf life. This process removes dietary fiber, iron, and many B vitamins. , SNAP-Ed eligible persons The target audience for SNAP-Ed, specifically SNAP participants and low-income individuals who qualify to receive SNAP benefits or other means-tested federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. , Surveillance Monitoring of behavior, activities, or other changing information using an ongoing,systematic data collection, analysis, and dissemination tool. , Whole grains Grains that contain the entire kernel-the bran, germ, and endosperm.