Medical Students and Preventative Health: A Nutrition Program for Community Middle School Students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This module is designed to serve as a guide for medical students interested in implementing a nutrition program for middle school students in their community. The goal of the program is twofold: (1) to improve the nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and dietary behavior of children in the community; and (2) to increase the public health awareness of medical students and improve their abilities, namely to provide effective communication and creative nutrition education in order to address nutrition and obesity in future patient encounters. Methods The content of this submission is presented as a step-by-step process of program creation and implementation, and includes a detailed outline of the curriculum arranged into sections based on topic. The implementation of this program can increase the dialogue between a medical school and their surrounding community and contribute to the campaign against obesity. The nutrition program was successfully implemented in a local Chicago South Side middle school and has potential to expand. Results A questionnaire was administered to the classroom of students both before and after the program measuring nutrition behavior, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Retrospective IRB approval of these results is pending. The surveys were previously validated and are referenced in our curriculum. Discussion Anecdotally, the students made strides in their ability to think critically about what they were eating and their willingness to try new fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and grains. The students were engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and would even skip the school-provided snack to spend more time in the classroom. The school requested that the nutrition program become a formal part of the after school program so the course could be expanded.

Keywords

• Health Equity Research
• Healthcare Disparities
• Childhood Obesity