Goal-setting program improves nutrition and physical activity among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligible adults.

Objective: To examine the impact of Nutrition for Life (NFL), a goal-setting nutrition education program, on the knowledge, self-efficacy and behaviour of adults eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education.

Design: NFL was developed using a 4-week goal-setting behavioural strategy focused on nutrition, physical activity and meal planning techniques. A quantitative repeated-measures design using self-reported data was collected at pre- and post-interventions and at 1-week and 1-month follow-ups.

Setting: Two Federally Qualified Health Centers in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Participants: A total of ninety-eight participants enrolled in the intervention; the majority were women (80·2 %), Black/Non-Hispanic (75·0 %) and 45-54 year old (39·6 %).

Results: Participants showed significant improvement in knowledge, self-efficacy and behaviour. Specifically, mean daily intake for vegetables increased by 0·31 cup (P < 0·05) and for fruits by 0·39 cup (P < 0·01) at 1-week follow-up. Participants also showed healthier behaviour at 1-month follow-up. Planning at least seven meals per week increased from 14·8 to 50 % (P < 0·01), completing at least 30 min of physical activity every day in the last week increased from 16·7 to 36 % (P < 0·01) and consuming water with all meals increased from 39 to 70·6 % (P < 0·01).

Conclusions: The implementation of a goal-oriented nutrition education program offers a promising approach at achieving positive behaviour change among SNAP-eligible adults.