Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Generates Economic Value Through Body Mass Index Improvement: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Authors

• Andrea Leschewski, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
• M. Catalina Aragon, Washington State University ExtensionFollow
• Dave Weatherspoon, Michigan State UniversityFollow
• Karen Barale, Washington State University ExtensionFollow
• Garry Auld, Colorado State UniversityFollow
• Richard Acquah-Sarpong, Oregon State UniversityFollow
• Susan S. Baker, Colorado State UniversityFollow

Volume

61

Issue

4

DOI

10.34068/joe.61.04.17

Abstract

Prior economic evaluations of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) perform cost-benefit analyses (CBA) reliant on self-reported behavioral data and unvalidated criteria for disease prevention. This study aims to conduct a CBA of Colorado and Washington EFNEP using an objective biomarker, Body Mass Index, to monetize program benefits. A longitudinal study of a convenience sample of EFNEP participants was conducted utilizing a single-group pretest-posttest design. Results indicate Colorado and Washington EFNEP generates $9.23 of benefits per $1.00 of costs and demonstrate the feasibility and value of using biomarkers in economic evaluations of nutrition education interventions delivered through Extension.

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Recommended Citation

Leschewski, A., Aragon, M. C., Weatherspoon, D., Barale, K., Auld, G., Acquah-Sarpong, R., & Baker, S. S. (2024). Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Generates Economic Value Through Body Mass Index Improvement: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. Journal of Extension, 61(4), Article 17. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.61.04.17