Question #2
What interventions, programs, or general changes do you think could potentially improve the dietary intake of this population?
posted by Anna Taylor @ 6:21 PM
16 comments
ISU Dietetic Internship Journal Club
Objective: To become familiar with current scientific literature on a variety of nutrition topics and to gain experience in gathering, organizing, critically evaluating, presenting and facilitating group discussion of the literature and the implications to practice.
16 Comments:
In my opinion, it is much easier to instill food preferences, knowledge, and habits early on in life than it is to change habits that have been set in stone for multiple years. Parent's ultimately set the example for their children when it comes to food as well as many other aspects of their lives (e.g. food likes/dislikes, choices, habits, etc.) While some individuals food habits or preferences may be very hard to break or change because they have become accustomed to them, it is not too late for them to gain knowledge and improve some of the choices they make. With that said, I think implementing nutrition education programs, classes, or workshops would help to increase awareness and possibly improve the dietary intake of this population. Educating children on nutrition in the school system is a great way to increase awareness, knowledge, and help them to make better food choices. They may even be able to improve their parent's dietary intake, especially if the schools provided nutrition/wellness programs that would increase awareness and provide a social setting where parents and children could come together.
Like the study suggested, I think that including parents in any nutritional intervention would be key. In order to be successful in changing dietary habits, I think that the entire family would need to be involved. An after-school or evening program that allows the entire family to attend would be one possibility. In addition, hands on activities like cooking classes or grocery store tours would be very beneficial as long as they are tailored to meet these specific populations’ needs for price and accessibility. I also think it is important to emphasize consuming an overall healthy diet and physical activity in the classroom. Having interesting lessons that involve the students could increase their understanding and knowledge base.
Education is the key to improving this population, or any population's dietary intake. I think that certain community organizations needs to get involved such as churches, schools, wellness centers, ect in organizing classes that teach about wellness, grocery shopping, reading food labels, cooking, ect. I think that local grocery stores could get involved by providing incentives for people to come to these classes such as food vouchers or coupons. I also think that working with the public transport system to see if certain days and times can be organized where a certain bus only goes to to the grocery store and people could ride for a discounted rate. This way, if the community is involved and making it easier for the parents to get to healthier food choices, then they can pass the education and healthier eating habits down to their children. Obviously, many kids model after their parents, particularly with eating habits, so if you educate the parents then hopefully you will be educating the kids too.
I believe intervention programs should take place at the school level. Some children may not have transportation or access to programs outside of school in urban areas. Involving the adolescents in school-based nutrition education and healthy food familiarization would likely improve the intake of this population if they have access to healthier foods at home. Likely, giving this population healthy food at school would make an impact, as well.
Bethany - you have a good idea in getting other organizations involved around the community. I agree that local grocery stores could make a positive impact on these adolescents and school systems. Also, the discounted rate on public transportation could be vital in getting someone to the grocery store.
Melanie made an excellent point in saying that the food habits, preferences and knowledge are easier to instill early in life rather than try to change them later. Along with the unanimous notion that parental involvement would help, reaching the families outside of school could help initiate better habits. However, this poses many roadblocks. Things that would need to be taken into consideration are various education levels for understanding, transportation for programs not occurring during school hours, parent availability or involvement. Funding for no involvement would be a waste. Given these possible barriers, Bethany's idea of getting community organizations and local businesses involved would be a more cost efficient effort. The kids could gain a sense importance and motivation given all of these efforts from their community. This would also paint the area nutrition ideas made visible to all. The community involvement would require some to educate themselves first so they, in turn, can help the kids. This would take a lot of effort and so hopefully more wellness centers such as Decatur Memorial’s could get involved for organizing events.
I completely agree with you Bethany. I think everyone would benefit from having a community involvement with nutrition education and hands-on activities centered on food.
I think that it would be nearly impossible to implement interventions, programs or general changes in the home life of these adolescents. Therefore, I think that any change must be initiated in their schools. The continued promotion of fruits and vegetables, switching to whole grain products, and limiting of processed foods is the starting point for any intervention or general change within the dietary intake of this population. If these adolescents are exposed to healthy and delicious foods at school, then their choices may be affected outside of school. The grocery and convenience stores that they and their families shop at could also be targeted for program and promotion initiation.
Great point Melanie, implementing things outside of the school would be very difficult. More attention needs to put on the poor school lunch nutrition requirements we hold today.
Community-based education, such as grocery store tours or classes would benefit this demographic. In addition, I believe that kids of this age group could really buy in to healthy eating through classroom challenges for healthy eating or physical activity challenges. Wellness fairs that include parents and children are a wonderful method to bridge the gap between school and the home environment. At the health fair last spring we saw kids and parents engaging together to learn about healthy eating, and I believe that method is effective.
After reading everyone's responses, I thought about how difficult this question really is. I think that everyone's responses are great in theory but how exactly do we go about getting them implemented is the difficult issue. That's why I think starting at the schools was a great idea. If we could somehow appeal to certain programs like the program that Michelle Obama is running then maybe a health class or certain nutritional topics could be mandated as part of the curriculum. That's why I think going to the goverment would also be a great start in helping these populations become healthier.
I think we all agree that interventions and programs should be implemented on the school level. This is the location where this population group is the most captive. This is just more evidence to fuel the fire that school-based nutrition education must be increased.
Government assistance programs like WIC, can definitely help if the family qualifies. I also think having the school cafeterias serve healthier fare will make an impact, especially for those students who take advantage of free or reduced lunch programs. Some children may benefit from education about making healthier choices, especially if it is coming from people they may perceive as role models.
Melanie, I completely agree with you about children learning from their parents or guardians' example. I think that getting parents on board for making healthy changes will help to improve the child's eating and exercise habits. I also feel that it's much more effective and long-lasting for a person to incorporate healthy eating and exercise as regular habits in their lives from when they are a child.
This is a difficult task because you could provide information to the parents and children about why eating healthier is important and how it can be cheaper in the long run for them to choose healthier foods, but ultimately it is the parents choice as to what kinds of foods their children are eating. It would be helpful to have healthy choices in the school lunch room and give the children an incentive to choose the healthier foods. Also, providing in class education and handouts for the children to take home to the parents may be helpful in some situations.
Bethany:
You make a good point that programs should be implemented at the school level first. If we started teaching children about healthy eating from the beginning, maybe they would show more interest at home and get their parents involved as well.
Post a Comment
<< Home