INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION EDUCATION.pptx

NUTRITION EDUCATION AND COUNSELING

1. Nutrition Education & counselling By Oturen Moses Reg. Nutritionist and Dietitian, Health Medical Tutor

2. Learning objectives By the end of this lesson learner should able to : Define nutrition education Define nutrition counseling Explain the Concept of counseling and guidance in nutrition Importance of nutrition education and counseling in promoting healthy lifestyles Discuss the role of nutrition education and counseling in solving malnutrition problems

3. Students expectations

4. What is Nutrition? It is the science of foods, the nutrients, and other substances therein, their action, interaction, and balance in relationship to health and disease . What is Education?   Education is the process of bringing desirable change in the behavior of human beings. The behavioral changes must be directed towards a desirable end.

5. Nutrition Education Educating for better nutrition and thus bringing the desirable positive changes in knowledge, attitude and practice in order to enhance the nutritional status of the individual and community as a whole .

6. Nutrition counseling Nutrition counseling is a two-way interaction through which a client and a trained counselor interpret the results of nutrition assessment, identify individual nutrition needs and goals, discuss ways to meet those goals, and agree on next steps. Nutrition counseling aims to help clients understand important information about their health and focuses on practical actions to address nutrition needs, as well as the benefits of behavior change. Nutrition counselors may be nurses or other facility- based providers or community health workers or volunteers.

7. Importance of nutrition Education An important part of the nutrition gap is the information gap. Although poor economic condition does stand in the way of improved nutrition, but, ignorance regarding nutrients needed by the body and cheap foods which can provide them and better utilization of the resources, are also partly responsible.

8. The importance of nutrition education as a means for improving nutrition of the community in the developing countries has increased rapidly during the recent past. Lack of awareness about the dietary requirements and nutritive value of different food is the main cause for prevailing malnutrition among school children , pregnant women, lactating mother and other vulnerable sections of the community . Whether food supplies are scarce or abundant, it is essential that people know how best to use their resources to access a variety of safe and good quality foods; to ensure nutritional wellbeing.

9. The mutually reinforcing relationship between nutrition, health and education is shown in Figure Good nutrition is the basis for good health, and both help in making education effective; good education.

10. Aims of Nutrition Education Increase Awareness Raising public awareness about nutrition and healthy eating is crucial for fostering a culture that prioritizes health. This involves educating the community about the benefits of nutritious foods and the risks associated with poor dietary choices. Campaigns can use various media, including social media, community workshops, and school programs, to disseminate information and engage diverse audiences. Promote Healthy Eating Habits Encouraging individuals to adopt balanced diets is essential for long-term health. This includes teaching portion control, which helps prevent overeating, and food preparation skills, enabling people to cook healthy meals at home. Workshops, cooking classes, and nutrition workshops can help individuals learn how to choose nutritious ingredients and prepare meals that meet dietary guidelines.

11. Aims of Nutrition Education Improve Nutritional Status Addressing malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women, is vital for ensuring overall health and development. This can involve implementing programs that provide access to nutrient-rich foods, as well as educating families about the importance of a balanced diet. Targeted interventions can help reduce deficiencies and improve health outcomes in these at-risk groups. Prevent Diet-Related Diseases The link between nutrition and chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes is well established. Preventive measures can significantly reduce the incidence of these conditions by promoting healthy eating patterns and physical activity. Public health initiatives can focus on reducing the consumption of processed foods high in sugars and unhealthy fats while encouraging the intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

12. Aims of Nutrition Education Enhance Food Security Food security ensures that individuals and communities can access and utilize food resources effectively. This involves not only providing food but also creating systems that support sustainable food practices, such as community gardens and local food markets. Education about budgeting for groceries and meal planning can further empower individuals to make healthier food choices on a budget. Empower Individuals Empowering individuals with knowledge and skills is essential for making informed food choices. Nutrition education programs can cover topics such as reading food labels, understanding dietary guidelines, and planning nutritious meals. Building confidence in these areas helps individuals take charge of their health and make choices that benefit their well-being.

13. Aims of Nutrition Education Support Lifelong Healthy Eating Fostering positive attitudes toward food and nutrition is crucial for maintaining healthy eating habits throughout life. This involves instilling a love for nutritious foods from a young age and teaching the importance of moderation and variety. Campaigns can highlight the joy of cooking and sharing meals, making healthy eating an enjoyable and integral part of life. Address Specific Needs Tailoring nutrition education to meet the unique needs of different age groups, communities, and cultural contexts ensures that messages resonate and are effective. This might involve creating specific programs for children, adolescents, seniors, or diverse cultural groups. Understanding cultural food practices and preferences can help design interventions that are respectful and relevant, promoting inclusivity in nutrition education.

14. Role of nutrition education Promoting Healthy Eating Habits Nutrition education helps individuals understand the different food groups, essential nutrients, and the impact of food choices on their health. This knowledge enables them to make informed decisions about their diet and develop lifelong healthy eating habits.  Preventing Diet-Related Diseases By educating people about the link between diet and health, nutrition education can help prevent or manage conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.  Improving Dietary Diversity Nutrition education can encourage the consumption of a wide variety of foods, ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients. 

15. Role of nutrition education Enhancing Food Security In low-income populations, nutrition education can help individuals maximize their limited resources by focusing on cost-effective, nutrient-dense foods.  Empowering Communities Nutrition education initiatives can empower individuals to take control of their nutrition, improve their health, and contribute to a healthier community.  Supporting Specific Groups Nutrition education is crucial for children and adolescents to establish healthy eating habits early in life. It also plays a vital role in helping adults manage weight, improve energy levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In the elderly, it helps maintain bone health, manage chronic conditions, and prevent nutrient deficiencies. 

16. Settings for Nutrition Education actions Nutrition educator must first understand why people follow a particular pattern of feeding practices. One should find out the details in order to have a good understanding of the people who are to be taught, e.g. Where do they live? How much do they earn? Is their diet good or bad? What changes if any should they make in their diet?

17. What are their food customs - hot and cold foods, and special diets given to pregnant and nursing mothers etc.? Where foods are consumed (e.g. public sector catering in schools, workplaces, households)? Where foods are produced (e.g. agricultural/field settings ?) Where foods are sold (e.g. retailers, public sector catering)? Can they afford to make changes which educators consider necessary? continued

18. General Considerations for Successful Nutrition Education Provide a clear formulation of the nutritional problems. When designing “messages”: keep them short and simple and ensure that they are clear ;. Make people think about nutrition problems. Have Something to demonstrate- a learning aid. Real things such as food items or utensils that people use are better than pictures or posters. Get the audience to participate- encourage them to ask questions and discuss issues of importance. Use different methods and tools of Nutrition Education to transmit the same message .

19. Methods of Nutrition Education of the Community a. Lectures and demonstrations The lecture should be simple and too elaborate. It should be easily adoptable by the people attending the course. The demonstrations should be simple and these should make good use of locally available resources with the help of which it can be easily adopted by the community.

20. b. Workshops The nutrition work should discuss the prevailing nutritional problem in the community in simplest form and the solution for it.

21. c. Film and slide shows These are extremely effective mode of education. They should be practical and illustrative and easily understandable.

22. d. Poster, charts and exhibition Posters should be simple and should immediately catch the attention of the viewers and should be written in the regional language. The letters should be clearly and easily visible at a distance too. Charts also should be in a position to stimulate the interest of the people. The charts should be well-balanced with the use appropriate colors and should not be crowded

23. e. Books, pamphlets, bulletins and news paper Printed matter for Nutrition Education is suitable for educating students, teachers and other professionals. These materials should be made available in regional languages and should give sufficient information.

24. f. Radio and television. Radio and Television programmes reach a large number of audiences within no time. Jokes, stories, dramas, etc. Involving the nutritional problem help to create large scale awareness.

25. Conclusion and Recommendations: Good nutritional habits and a balanced diet aren't developed in one day, nor are they destroyed in one unbalanced meal. Nutrition education is an important element in an overall strategy aimed at improving food security and preventing all forms of malnutrition. So it should be taken into account to our government agencies, NGOs, Schools, colleges, Universities to share the knowledge about foods and their nutrients to common people, students, pregnant women etc. to improve their health, eating habits. Also they can share to their families, friends and near ones.

26. Thank You