NFSC 470 - Community Nutrition
This syllabus covers the general subject matter and format for the course but does not apply to any specific semester. For information about this course for a particular semester please contact the course Instructor. Syllabi for all courses in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science are subject to change at any time per decision of the Instructor. The Instructor for the course may also change at the discretion of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science.
Description
Community nutrition is a discipline that strives to improve the nutrition and health of individuals and groups within communities. Nutrition programming can occur in many community settings, including worksites, health centers, clinics, hospital, schools, churches, recreational and sports centers, elderly feeding sites and homes. Community nutrition encompasses any nutrition program whose target is the community, whether funded by a government (federal, state, city) or sponsored by a private group (as in a worksite or community hospital weight management program). This course explores communities and their composition and influences on nutrition habits and nutrition status. Community, state, and national food and nutrition programs and services will be discussed with emphasis on program goals, target audiences and policy formulation. The course also explores program development via assessing needs, developing objectives, implementing interventions and evaluating programs.
Objectives
- Recognize that nutrition problems in communities are interwoven with health, social and economic problems and needs.
- Recognize and understand the problems of individuals and groups who are nutritionally vulnerable as a result of poverty, social, cultural, or physiological constraints.
- Become familiar with community organizations and public programs providing food assistance and nutrition education.
- Become familiar with skills and capabilities expected of the community nutritionist.
- Identify components of program development when designing nutrition intervention programs.
Instructor
Dr. Nadine Sahyoun
0102 C Skinner Building
(301) 405-8774
nsahyoun@umd.edu
Required Materials
- Owen LA, Splett PL, Owen GM. Nutrition in the Community: The Art of Delivering Services. 4th Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1999.
- Kozol, Jonathan. Rachel and her Children: Homeless Families in America. New York, NY: Fawcett Columbine Books, 1989.
Class Schedule
| Week # | Lecture | Readings/Assignments | Discussion |
| Week 1 | Introduction/Orientation | NO READINGS | NO DISCUSSION |
| Week 2 | Community and Public Health Nutrition Community Profile and Health Issues |
Chapter 1 and 2 (pp. 23-32) | Website Searching & WebCT. (Meet in OWL Lab, Rm 1314) Discuss Assignments |
| Week 3 | How Do We Assess Problems? (Epidemiology Principles) Program Planning |
Chapter 3, 13 | Library Visit-- MD Room and Government Documents |
| Week 4 | Program Implementation Program Evaluation |
Chapter 14, 15 | Case Studies |
| Week 5 | Program Evaluation and Examples | Chapter 15 Nutritionist Interview Assignment Due |
Community Assessment Project |
| Week 6 | Policy Formulation Nutrition Policy (Nutrition Monitoring, Healthy People) |
Chapter 5, handouts | Video ”Inside ADA, Grassroots Lobbying” Discussion (Meet in OWL lab) |
| Week 7 | Nutrition Policy: RDI/Dietary Guidelines/Food Guide Pyramid/Labeling Review |
NO READINGS | Community Assessment Project |
| Week 8 | Exam 1 Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity |
Chapter 18 and Video | Community Assessment Project |
| SB | SPRING BREAK | SPRING BREAK | SPRING BREAK |
| Week 9 | US Health Care System Communications |
Chapter 4, Chapter 17 Community Assessment Project Due |
Evaluate Nutrition Education Materials |
| Week 10 | Theories of Behavior Change | Chapter 7 | Project Presentation |
| Week 11 | Hunger and Food Security/Welfare Reform Food Assistance Programs |
pp. 362-365, Chapter 5 and handouts | Project Presentation |
| Week 12 | Emergency Feeding Programs Food Assistance Programs |
Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Poverty Simulation |
| Week 13 | Food Stamps/EFNEP/Cooperative Extension Service Community Programs--Food Marketing Institute |
Handouts | Rachel and Her Children Discussion |
| Week 14 | Community Programs--Head Start | NO READINGS | Case Studies |
| Week 15 | Societal and Health Trends/Course Summary Review |
Chapters 1 & 21 Surviving on Poverty Budget due |
NO DISCUSSION |
Grading and Evaluation
Exams
| Mid-term Exam | 100 pts. |
| Final Exam** | 100 pts. |
| Total | 200 pts. |
(**If you choose not to complete the Poverty budget assignment, then the final exam will be equivalent to 200 points)
Assignments
| Interviewing nutritionists | 50 pts. |
| Community nutrition assessment | 100 pts. |
| Rachel and her children | 10 pts. |
| Attending and participating in class | 40 pts. |
| Poverty budget (Optional**) | 100 pts. |
| Total | 300 pts. |
(**This assignment is optional, however, if you choose not to complete it, your final exam will count as 200 pts)
For more information, contact Dr. Nadine Sahyoun
Last updated: 10/5/2006