Nutrition Education and Counseling in Community Settings by Clinical Dietitians as Part of National Nutrition Month Activities

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will be able to identify the impact of a community nutrition education program by clinical dietitians. Dade County, FL is a multiethnic, multilingual community with a high percentage of elderly, poor children and recent immigrants. As part of the National Nutrition Month activities, the dietitians of a publicly funded teaching facility serving Dade County were asked to provide nutrition education and counseling in a variety of community settings and agencies. The purpose of this program was to provide services to traditionally underserved sectors of the community and to promote dietitians as nutrition experts. Arrangements were made with community organizations to include churches, battered women's shelters, schools and congregate meal sites, and dietitians were asked to sign up for an activity of their choice. Some of the activities were joint efforts in partnership with the Miami Dietetic Association. Twelve dietitians conducted presentations that reached 633 participants, provided counseling at two sites and participated in one health fair. The dietitians reported feelings of satisfaction with the activities and a good reception by the participants. This program allowed the clinical dietitians to utilize educational skills not frequently called for in clinical settings and enhanced the reputation of the facility in the communities it serves.