Nutrition Problem Barre City is the most populated town in Washington County with a population of 9,066, with 22%

of persons being under 18 (Vermont State 20.7%). The rate of births to teens ages 15-19 in Vermont are 21.3 births per 1,000 teens. Although we couldnt find the exact number of births per 1,000 teens in Barre, a key informant, Robin from Central Vermont Womens Health Center, shared that CVMC is currently treating 20 pregnant teenagers. After being told the teen pregnancy rate in Vermont, Robin shared that she thinks the incidence of teen pregnancy in Barre City is higher than the teen pregnancy rate in Vermont. She also informed us that the most prevalent nutritional problems during teen pregnancy are iron deficiency and not gaining the proper amount of weight due to not consuming enough calories. Community City of Barre Vermont, a city in Washington county. Purpose of Assessment The purpose of this nutrition assessment is to research the nutrition problems that are occurring among pregnant teenagers (ages 15-19) in Barre Vermont. We want to research why there is a higher teen birth rate in Barre than in Vermont as a whole as well as what programs are in place to help those teens who decide to carry the pregnancy to term. Target Population The population of Teens ages 15 to 19 in Barre City who become pregnant and decide to go through with the birth. Goals and Objectives of the Needs Assessment Overall Goal: To identify the most prevalent nutrition problem that occurs among pregnant teens and to find assistance programs that may teach them how to avoid or overcome these nutrition problems. Goal A: Assess the occurrence of teen pregnancy in Barre, find the most common nutrition problems during teen pregnancy, and compare those facts to those of teens in Vermont.

Objective 1: To compare the rate of teen pregnancy in Barre to the rate of teen pregnancy in the state of Vermont and to the rate in the United States. Objective 2: To list three risk behaviors among teens in Barre and compare them to those of teens in Vermont. Objective 3: List top two nutrition problems that occur during teen pregnancy in Barre.

Goal B: To locate the services that are available in Barre/Washington in order to help pregnant teens successfully maintain health throughout their pregnancy. Objective 1: To identify three local programs that assist pregnant teens. Objective 2: To list three services that the planned parenthood in Barre offers to pregnant teens. Objective 3: To list the resources that the local high school (Spaulding) offers to teens who become pregnant. Community Characteristics: Issue 1: Existing Community Services and Programs Planned Parenthood of Barre City offers the following services to pregnant teens: pregnancy testing, abortion services, abortion referrals, adoption referrals, fertility awareness education, pregnancy planning services, trained staff to discuss your options with you if you are pregnant. o A planned parenthood employee shared that the vast majority of pregnant Barre teenagers are sent to Central VT Womens Health to be treated throughout their pregnancy. Central Vermont Womens Health Center (at CVMC) offers the following services to pregnant teens: obstetrical management and care, gynecological examinations, periodic health maintenance, family planning, gynecological surgical procedures, management of acute and chronic illnesses, hospital treatment, coordination of care with primary physician, midwifery.

There are currently 20 girls being seen at Central VT womens health center (located in Barre VT) for a pregnancy. Each teen pregnancy requires 15 visits. CareNet Pregnancy Center of Central Vermont offers the following services to pregnant teens: provides pregnancy tests, referrals for medical care, financial assistance, housing, adoption services, and maternity/ infant clothing and furniture. WIC in Barre Vermont provides the following services: it is designed to serve income-eligible pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or have a new baby, infants and children up to age 5 who are nutritionally or medically at risk. They provide healthy foods (such as whole grain bread, canned beans, natural peanut butter, milk, etc.), nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and connections to other community resources. (healthvermont.gov.) Spaulding High School (Barre City Vermont) offers the following services to pregnant teenagers: guidance counselors who are available for support, and health and wellness class that is required for all students (provides basic information on disease prevention, relationships, alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, and stress management.)
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Issue 2: Community Opinion Barre VT is probably higher in teen pregnancy rates compared with other neighboring towns and cities in VT. Reasons why teenagers get pregnant in Barre include substance abuse within their home and by the teen herself. Reasons why teenagers get pregnant in Barre also has to do with the home environment. If somebody grows up in a family where young pregnancy is prevalent and accepted, they are more likely to get pregnant at a young age than somebody who grew up in a home where young pregnancy was not acceptable.

Executive Summary Only 1% of the population of Washington County has limited access to healthy food opposed to 5% of the population of Vermont. Though the food insecurity in Washington County is lower than that of the state, within the target population of 15 to 19 year old girls who are pregnant 90% of them are on state assistance. We found that the prevalence of teen pregnancy directly increases when someone in their family also became pregnant as a teen. Also related to family, the instance of substance abuse, lack of education, and generational poverty within a family of a teen is directly related to teen pregnancy. There are currently 20 teen girls between the ages of 15 and 19 enrolled in pregnancy services at Central Vermont Medical Center. In addition to services at Central Vermont Medical Center, there are also pregnancy services available for teens at the WIC and Planned Parenthood in Barre. According to the Central Vermont Medical Center the major red flags in the target populations health status were that they are iron deficient, underweight (leading to low birth weight), and abusing substances during pregnancy. Our key informant at the Central Vermont Medical Center also stated that these major red flags were all due to lack of education surrounding nutrition and substances both within the family and the teen themselves. Low iron and underweight pregnant women leads to anemia, low birth weight, and developmental disabilities in the baby. Substance abuse during pregnancy also causes developmental disabilities and fetal alcohol syndrome. Lack of education is linked to poverty, substance abuse, and teen pregnancies which then continues to be passed on in the cycle of generational poverty. Educating teens, especially the high risk teens on sex, nutrition, and substances is crucial and not as strong as it could be in the Barre area.