Nutrition and Dietetics 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