A Rationale for the Development of a Nutrition-Focused Program at YMCA of the Shoals

By Sarah Larkin Lewis

I. Identify health in global, national, etc. and economic terms
A. What is a non-nutritious lifestyle?
1. A nutritious and healthy diet consists of meeting the recommended amount of
vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins while not in an extreme
caloric deficit or surplus to balance energy expenditure (World Health
Organization, 2020).
2. Many individuals overestimate the nutritional value of their diet, with 99% of
Americans saying they eat “healthy,” when their meals are not. The U.S.
population is disillusioned about the wholeness of their diet, which leads to a
deficiency of nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle (American Society for
Nutrition, 2022).
B. Background information
1. Lack of nutritious diet can result in stroke, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
obesity, which can further result in premature death due to these chronic illnesses
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).
2. The United States of America is ranked 12th in the world for obesity prevalence
rates in adults at 36.2%, which is important because although the U.S. has the
resources to have nutritious diets, we do not think it is essential to daily living
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2016).
C. Economic consequences
1. Cancer care costs per patient are over $150,000 from start to end of their
treatment cycle (National Cancer Institute, 2023).
2. On average, over 14 million dollars are used towards the healthcare system due
to poor diet in Lauderdale County alone, but would be reduced by proper diet and
nutrition (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2019).
II. Relationship to priority population and statement of problem
A. The priority population is the people living in Lauderdale County, especially in the
Shoals area.
B. Lauderdale County has an increased percentage of diabetes and obesity prevalence
than the national average. In addition, there are 23% more premature deaths in
Lauderdale County than America’s average, including cancer and cardiovascular disease
(University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2023).
 C. Problem statement: Non-nutritious lifestyles are detrimental to the population of
Lauderdale county because it results in a higher rate of obesity, cardiovascular disease,
and cancer, ultimately leading to premature death.
III. State proposed solution and general overview
A. Name of program: Nutritious Nourishment
B. Classes, extra programs, and other changes
1. How to read a nutrition label class
2. Healthy cooking classes
3. What is considered a “healthy meal?” class
4. Healthy snack program where they give out nutritious alternatives to packaged
snacks
5. Healthier snacks in concession stands and vending machines (if applicable)
IV. How it fits into YMCA of the Shoals’ values
A. The YMCA describes themselves as a “leading nonprofit committed to strengthening
community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people
of all ages and inspiring action in and across communities” (The YMCA, 2023).
B. By helping more individuals develop a healthier diet through the nutrition-focused
program, we are more effectively implementing the values the YMCA stands for.
C. More people will be encouraged to take other classes and programs at the “Y” that
further encourage healthier lifestyles, increasing its popularity.
V. Why will it be successful?
A. Many don’t know what a nutritious lifestyle looks like, and so teaching awareness
while also creating opportunities for healthier eating will enable individuals to partake in
a nutritious lifestyle.
B. The target population coming to the YMCA are taking the first step in cultivating a
healthy lifestyle, so why not help them in all areas of wellness, including diet.
C. More individuals will know of the nutritional values of food and how to make healthy
meals without spending an excess amount of money, thereby making nutritious diets
more accessible.
VI. References
A.
American Society for Nutrition. (2022, June 14). Most people think their diet is healthier than it
is. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://nutrition.org/most-people-think-their-diet-is-
healthier-than-it-is/
B. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 8). Poor Nutrition.
Retrieved September 5, 2023, from Chronic Disease Fact Sheets:
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/nutrition.htm
C. Central Intelligence Agency. (2016). Obesity- Adult Prevalence Rate. Retrieved
September 5, 2023, from The World Factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/obesity-adult-prevalence-rate/country-
comparison/
D. National Cancer Institute. (2023, August). Financial Burden of Cancer Care.
Retrieved September 6, 2023, from Online Summary of Trends in US Cancer Control
Measures: https://progressreport.cancer.gov/after/economic_burden
E. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2019, December 17). Americans poor diet
drives $50 billion a year in health care costs. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2019/americans-poor-diet-drives-50-billion-year-health-
care-costs#:~:text=An%20%23NHLBI%2Dfunded%20study%20put,stroke%20and
%20type%202%20diabetes.
F. The YMCA. (2023). Who We Are. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from
https://www.ymca.org/who-we-are
G. University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (2023). Explore Health Rankings.
Retrieved September 6, 2023, from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps:
https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/explore-health-rankings/alabama/lauderdale?
year=2023
H. World Health Organization. (2020, April 29). Healthy Diet. Retrieved September 5,
2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet