Since 1969, EFNEP has reached more than 33 million low income families and youth. Annual program data shows that participants have enhanced their health by improving their nutrition, food safety, and physical activity practices. Program research and evaluation are integral to the success of EFNEP and other nutrition education programs.
EFNEP’s position within USDA/NIFA and Cooperative Extension within the Land-grant Universities provides a unique opportunity for developing, testing, and implementing program-based. Innovative educational interventions and evaluation strategies also help advance the field of nutrition education.
Although EFNEP funds cannot be used for research, the importance of research as a foundation to programing is well recognized. Two multi-state research teams, supported in part by Agricultural Experiment Station funding, are particularly acting in conducting research that benefit EFNEP and similar nutrition education programs.
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The EFNEP Related Research, Program Evaluation and Research Team formed in 2006. This team combines research and programmatic expertise to conduct program implementation research and evaluation. See NC3169: EFNEP Related Research, Program Evaluation and Outreach - NMSS.
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The Children's Healthy Living Network (CHLN) formed in 2016. This team focuses especially on research and evaluation strategies that address health disparities by ethnic minorities and indigenous populations and those living in rural communities. See W2194: Children's Healthy Living Network (CHLN) in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Region - NIMSS.
Other researchers, similarly, have contributed to EFNEP research and evaluation. Links to databases, search engines, and studies including early research and reports, and cost benefit/ cost effectiveness studies are listed below. Please email Yamilis Ocasio at yamilis.ocasio@usda.gov if you have a study to contribute.
Databases and Search Engines
This section contains the links to searchable databases and search engines for peer review publications related to EFNEP.
Studies and Reports
This section contains the links to early research and kay reports used in EFNEP. Additional research studies are underway and/or can be found in searchable databases and through search engines.
- EFNEP Research Studies 1989-2008
- 5 Year Comparison of EFNEP Results by Race and Ethnicity 2007-2011 Data - Poster
- Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Centers of Excellence (RNECE)
Cost Benefit / Effectiveness Studies
This section contains the links of studies dedicated to determining the cost benefits and cost effectiveness of EFNEP.
- What Have We Learned about the Cost and Effectiveness of EFNEP?
- Using National Data to Estimate Average Cost Effectiveness
- Cost-Effectiveness Model for Youth EFNEP Programs
- An Economic Evaluation of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
- California EFNEP Cost Benefit Analysis
- Applying Cost Benefit Analysis to Nutrition Education Programs: Focus on the Virginia Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
- Evaluation of the Costs and Benefits of Iowa's EFNEP
