Do nutrition professionals have the tools to implement and evaluate effective nutrition programs?
Abstract
Purpose: Nutrition professionals are at the front line in the development, implementation, and scaling of preventive interventions to encourage healthy behaviors. Thus, it is important to assess whether these individuals have the tools necessary to facilitate effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and application of concepts from prevention and implementation science in nutrition professionals.
Methods: Attendees of a session about prevention science at a large national nutrition conference were asked anonymously about their knowledge and application of prevention and implementation science.
Results: Approximately 110 attendees answered polling questions during the conference session. Of the respondents, 65% of participants have implemented evidence-based or evidence informed programs, yet 22% of participants do not evaluate programs, and 83% of participants had not heard of prevention science, implementation science, logic models, or seen these concepts in practice.
Conclusions: The effective implementation and evaluation of prevention programs is essential to support the development of healthy behaviors. Based on attendee responses, the following three areas are suggested to encourage the implementation and evaluation of effective programs: additional training for nutrition professionals, including technical assistance in the implementation of prevention programs, and encouraging interdisciplinary teams in program implementation and evaluation. These findings highlight an important opportunity for partnership between prevention scientists and nutrition professionals to support effective nutrition interventions.
About the Presenters
Alexandra "Lexie" Jackson
Lexie Jackson is a doctoral candidate in Prevention Science, Instructor in Human Development at Washington State University, Vancouver, and Instructor at Oregon Health & Science University. Prior to transitioning to an academic practice, Lexie worked as a dietitian providing nutrition education and encouraging healthy lifestyle change. Her past experiences have led to her current research interests which are focused on promoting healthy dietary behaviors by understanding the relationships between body image and eating behaviors, assessing how social relationships impact food choices, and developing methods to implement effective nutrition programs.
Anna Cahn
Anna is a doctoral student in Prevention Science at the University of Oregon. Prior to transitioning to an academic practice, she worked for PHFE WIC in Southern California, providing nutrition education and counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children. Her past experiences have led her to her current research interests in prevention which include examining the food environment on college campuses, and how they influence the food choices of college students.