NUTR 405

NUTR 405: Community and Cultural Nutrition

Prerequisite: NUTR 317

Credit Hours: (3)

Presents different governmental levels of nutrition programs. Introduces the skills needed to assess, plan, and evaluate community nutrition programs with considerations for cultural, socioeconomic, and psychological factors of the community. Students will study the cultural food patterns and the means of assessing and meeting nutritional needs of a community.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Presents current trends in nutrition programs at the local, state, and national levels. Introduces the skills and tools used to assess and meet nutritional needs of populations employing the evidence-based application of the Nutrition Care Process as conducted by the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Students learn to make decisions, identify nutrition related problems, and determine and assess nutrition interventions for populations. Explores the influence of socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological factors on food and nutrition behavior of groups within a community.

Topics include

health care policy development
planning and management of public/professional health education programs
health care delivery systems
resources for programs such as grants, government funding, and nongovernment organizations
nutrition screening and surveillance systems
cultural consideration of a community

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course instruction strategies may include, but will not be limited to, lecture, discussion, class activities, problem based learning, case studies, videos, guest speakers, and student presentations.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Define the skills and tools that are used by the community nutritionist
Identify the agencies and organizations that conduct nutrition programs
Recognize the role of nutrition in health care policy development
Define the techniques of community assessment, management and planning and of public/professional health education programs
Develop and present a nutrition education program for a target group; obtain and utilize appropriate nutrition education materials and methods; self-evaluate program and presentation
Describe how various religious, cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors impact food consumption and nutritional status
Discuss health care systems and reimbursement regulations
Recognize development and maintenance of nutrition screening and surveillance systems

Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include, but will not be limited to exams, assignments, projects, case studies, oral presentations, and class participation.

Other Course Information

This course fulfills in part, the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Review and Approval

December 2002 Updated Anne Alexander, Chair

March 28, 2012 Revised

April, 2019

March 01, 2021