Released July 29, 2010
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- With an increasing number of grandchildren living in grandparent-headed households, Kansas State University Research and Extension nutrition specialists are offering a new food, nutrition and health newsletter: "Nourishing the Next Generation: Practical Advice for Caring for Your Young Ones with Food, Fun and Love."
While 2010 Census data are still being gathered, in Kansas in 2008, approximately 19,995 grandparents lived with and were primarily responsible for caring for one or more grandchildren, said Mary Meck Higgins, K-State Research and Extension nutrition specialist. More than one in 10 grandparents are expected to experience giving care for at least six months to a grandchild.
Development of the new newsletter was prompted by research conducted by Higgins and Bethany Murray, a graduate student in Human Nutrition, who worked with Extension offices in the state to identify grandparents and other relatives raising children again.
When asked: "How can we help?," as part of the personal interviews, respondents requested a newsletter with tips about cooking and eating together, nutrition, physical activity and encouraging a healthy lifestyle for families that span the generations and include children and adults of all ages, Higgins said.
The bimonthly newsletter, which is being produced with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and is distributed with the help of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and K-State Research and Extension county and district agents. It also is available online: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/humannutrition/nourishing.htm.
In addition to grandparents, many older adults – including daycare providers – provide full- or part-time care for babies, children and teens, Higgins said.
More information about nutrition, food, food safety and health is available at local K-State Research and Extension offices and online at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/humannutrition/ and http://www.rrc.ksu.edu.
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