Impact of a nutrition education program on food consumption and nutritional status of family farmers.

This study analyzed the impact of a nutrition education program on the food consumption and nutritional status of family farmers in Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil. A longitudinal and interventional study, with 81 individuals of both sexes (3 to 74 years old) was carried out. Nutrition education program with 7 activities throughout 8 months period was applied. Food consumption, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, complete blood count, fasting glucose, total proteins, serum iron, ferritin, C-reactive protein, and lipid profile were evaluated, before and after the intervention. Data was analyzed using the t-test and Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). The Revised Diet Quality Index increased from 49.44 to 58.72 (p=0.001), indicating a significant improvement. There was a significant reduction in energetic and lipid intake, free sugar, sodium, saturated, and trans fatty acids. These changes were associated with decreases in BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, plasma cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels. The nutrition education program had a positive impact on the participants' eating habits and health, contributing to the improvement of public and other intervention health programs.