Food and Nutrition 6th Spring Semester-2024 By Mr. Yasir Aziz (Lecturer) Introduction • Advances in nutrition research have provided means of prevention and control of some of the major crippling nutritional disorder with sever socioeconomic and health repercussions. • The next logical step after the discovery of such solutions will be their propagation among the concerned community members. • Nutrition education programs, when properly implemented, have the potential to bring out desired behavior modifications among the communities. • But for them to be successful, there are several obvious prerequisites such as the right approach suited to the community appropriately, motivated change agents, suitable educational strategies in terms of media, messages, etc. • The ultimate impact of any nutritional education effort hinges on the extent to which the above criteria are satisfied. Cont. • Nutrition education has been defined as the process by which beliefs, attitudes, environmental influences, and understanding about food lead to practices that are scientifically sound, practical, and consistent with individual needs and available food resources; nutrition education should be available to all individuals and families. • The fundamental philosophy of nutrition education is that efforts should focus on the establishment and protection of nutritional health rather than on crisis intervention. • It is needed, regardless of income, location or cultural, social or economic practices, or level of education. • Nutrition education must be a continuing process throughout the life cycle as new research brings additional knowledge. Cont. • Education means a change in behavior. It moves the individual from lack of interest and ignorance to increasing appreciation and knowledge and finally to action. • Nutrition education offers a great opportunity to individuals to learn about the essentials of nutrition for health and to take steps to improve the quality of their diets and thus their well-being. • Nutrition education must continue throughout the individual’s life in order to accommodate for developments in nutrition science and for changing economic circumstances, health requirements, and the new food products appearing in the nation’s market. • This requires a greatly expanded use of the mass media, and the involvement of governmental and private agencies and universities, as well as the food industries. Cont. • The major focus of this type of nutrition is not knowledge and facts, but rather the development of permanent behavioral changes. • This is the art of nutrition education – breaking down a large body of knowledge into small, individual components that are represented to a patient or client at a rate and level, at which they are able to absorb and use the information. • Effective education is making nutrition information digestible and usable in an everyday setting.