Nutrition Education, Term Paper Example

What would be the three most important points to include in a public nutrition program that is directed toward the 21st century?
It is true that traditionally, nutrition programs targeted the indigent and poor populations in developing countries because they were the ones believed to have no understanding of proper nutrition; could not afford to buy foods rich in basic nutrients or simply too ill to plant their own produce. However, statistics reveal that many Americas are malnourished also, being glutted with a wealth of unhealthy foods and requiring a multidisciplinary approach to nutrition education (Edelman & Mandle, 2010).

The multi discipline approach should encompass a component aimed at life-style changes; improving activity through exercise and cooking classes on how to prepare a nutrion meal for the family. Studies of three programs conducted in Southeastern United States of America revealed the efficacy of this intervention. They were ‘Shape up Somerville in Massachusetts, MA (Urban); Whole Community Project in New York, NY (Semi urban) and Eat Well Play Hard Chemung in NY (semirural)’ (Porter, 2013).

The researcher emphasized that many nutrition programs were available around the country due to increasing incidences of obesity among Americans, which is an indicator of malnutrition, but evaluation of their efficacy is inconsistent. However, these three programs showed marked relevance to their community through reducing obesity applying life-style changes strategies; regular exercise and food preparation techniques (Porter, 2013).

Some life style changes included limiting consumption fast foods and eating at least three nutritious meals per day. Exercises were more geared towards increasing metabolism, burring excessive fat. Food preparation encompassed cleaning away excessive fat from meats; cleaning chicken of their skin, which contains large amounts of cholesterol and steaming vegetables (Porter, 2013).

References

Edelman, C., & Mandle, C. (2010). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span (7 ed.). [Pageburst]. Retrieved from www.elsevier.com

Porter, C. (2013). Community Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity: Lessons from Three US Case Studies. Child Obes. [Epub ahead of print]