A Novel Method of Increasing Medical Student Nutrition Awareness and Education

Abstract

Medical nutrition education in most US medical schools is lacking, despite an epidemic of lifestyle related chronic conditions and high rates of malnutrition in hospitals. In a unique response to this deficit, students at Boston University School of Medicine have created a novel student interest group entitled Student Nutrition Awareness and Action Council (SNAAC). This student group is unique in that it focuses on interprofessional collaboration and development of concrete practice skills and works to fill educational gaps. The goal of SNAAC is to increase medical student knowledge, attitude, and skills in medical nutrition through providing extracurricular activities and partnering with official medical school curriculum committees. To accomplish this, SNAAC has developed a multipartite group overseen by a mentoring team composed of a physician nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, and a mental health provider. SNAAC provides nutrition oriented opportunities for members and the student body at large. Participation is high because it fills an educational gap, offers a unique focus on expanding nutrition awareness and education, and provides opportunities for student leadership and professional development. We encourage other medical schools to use the SNAAC student involvement model to increase nutrition awareness and facilitate the incorporation of medical nutrition in their curriculum.

Community Based Review, Implementation, and Evaluation of Nutrition Course plan in the Doctorate of Medicine and Baccalaureate of Nursing by Nutritional Need Assessment

“…However, teachers have paid less attention to practical aspects [16]. Some interventions in the community by medical and nutrition students are required.These students can hold a community nutrition cooking class for low-income population in some medical and nutrition schools such as Brown and Boston medical schools [30,31]. This kind of activity may improve undergraduate and graduate medical nutrition education by integrating theoretical and practical learning along with community health management activities [29].…”

The SNAP Challenge: Communicating Food Security Capabilities through Anti-Hunger Advocacy

“…As noted, the SNAP Challenge has gained some attention in academic literatures (Robb, 2016;Schoettler et al, 2015) emphasizing how the experience of hunger can raise awareness of food hardship. This preliminary study extends this area scholarship through consideration of the material opportunities and disparities that constitute food (in)security as revealed through the SC.…”

“…1). Although the SC has garnered attention in media reports (Doran, 2013;Livingston, n.d.) and academic investigations (Robb, 2016;Schoettler, Lee, Ireland, & Lenders, 2015), the focus has largely tended to emphasize the former; this primary study takes up the latter.…”

Weight awareness among medical students

“…9 Nutrition education in medical school, residency and training is inadequate despite the high prevalence of hospital malnutrition (40-60%) and evidence that nutrition interventions reduce morbidity and mortality. 10 Appropriate knowledge of nutrition is necessary to prevent and treat nutritional problems from the hospital to the community setting. 10 Aims and objectives was to know body mass index of medical students.…”

“…10 Appropriate knowledge of nutrition is necessary to prevent and treat nutritional problems from the hospital to the community setting. 10 Aims and objectives was to know body mass index of medical students. Also, to assess the diet and exercise habits.…”