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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the parent and teacher perceptions of the Food for Kids BackPack program in Long Beach, CA. There is limited research on the effectiveness of BackPack programs throughout the United States and further research is needed to assess program outcomes. Survey methods were used to assess the parent and teacher perceptions of the child’s energy level, diet, nutrition, concentration level, academic performance, whether the parent and teacher thought the program was easy to participate in and enjoyable, how long the food would last, and how many people in the household benefitted from the backpacks. A Cronbach’s alpha test was run to measure the internal reliability of the survey. In total, 98 parent and 6 teacher surveys were collected. Overall, the parents either agreed or strongly agreed that the BackPack program benefitted their child’s energy (89%), diet (86%), nutrition (89%), concentration (83%), and performance (82%). The participants reported that the Backpack Program benefited their budget (95%), was easy to participate in (94%), enjoyable (94%), and they would recommend the program to others (96%). Most teachers either agreed or strongly agreed that the BackPack program improved the students’ energy (66%), diet (83%), nutrition (66%), absentee record (50%), performance (66%), and concentration (83%). When asked how many students participate in the BackPack program from their classes, most teachers said 16-20 students participated (33%) or said more than 20 participated (33%). When asked how many students drop out, most teachers responded that no students drop out (50%). Overall, this study found that the BackPack program had a high approval rating amongst the teachers and parents that participated in it. Nutrition education and instruction for preparing healthy low-cost meals may improve the program. Further research is needed to assess the BackPack program so that improvements can be made.
Advisor: | Gray, Virginia |
Commitee: | Frank, Gail, Lorenz, Saundra |
School: | California State University, Long Beach |
Department: | Family and Consumer Sciences |
School Location: | United States -- California |
Source: | MAI 81/3(E), Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Nutrition, Educational leadership |
Keywords: | BackPack, Community, Food insecurity |
Publication Number: | 13898994 |
ISBN: | 9781085794794 |