Home Economics & ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)
Our county's Extension home economics program helps strengthen family life. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges facing individuals and families in our county are great. With A problem solving philosophy, we strive to develop programs to deal with complex issues facing local families. We are helping people build leadership and other skills. We teach through group training sessions and local programs and community projects. We are dedicated to solving community needs, concerns and issues.
Food & Nutrition Education
Good nutrition is essential to improve and maintain health. Five of the leading causes of death including hear disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and hypertension have links to diet. Obesity now affects over half of all Americans. For programs to truly be effective both diet and simple physical activity should be emphasized for both adults and youth to reduce medical costs incurred by an individual, family and or the County Indigent Fund. According to the Torrance County Health Profile, estimated number of persons with diagnosed & undiagnosed diabetes is approximately 350 Non-Hispanic White and 320 Hispanic. Simple changes, such as healthier food choices and adding regular physical activity can have a significant effect on health and well being of people with diabetes, including educating various family members.
Extension Food & Nutrition Education Program
Despite continued economic growth, unemployment has increased and more people are living in poverty in Torrance County. Statistics indicate in 1998, 2,851 residents in Torrance County are living in poverty. The unemployment rate for Torrance County jumped from 6.8% in 1995 to 8.9% in 1996. The average monthly number of Food Stamp cases declined from FY 1996 to FY 1997. During this same time period, the average monthly number of AFDC cases fell. This suggests that some needy families may be falling through the cracks. Nutrition education can help low income families and individuals maximize resources to improve their nutritional status.
Consumer Education
The outlook for the population in Torrance County is rather bleak. Although the state’s economy has grown Torrance County has not experienced this same growth. The unemployment rate has risen and the poverty rate especially for Torrance County residents remains the highest in the state. This especially dismal since New Mexico’s poverty is the highest in the nation. At the same time fewer community residents are receiving public assistance, suggesting that some needy families may be falling through the cracks.