Need to “sell” nutrition

Need to “sell” nutrition

Editorial Involvement Already persons interested in nutrition education are involving themselves in this new journal. Subscriptions and letters of in...

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Editorial

Involvement Already persons interested in nutrition education are involving themselves in this new journal. Subscriptions and letters of inquiry have arrived from all over the world. Several of the Letters to the Editor have been selected for printing in this issue. A variety of articles have been submitted for publication. It is, of course, the editor's hope that the interest will increase and that the content of the journal will express the readership not only across the nation but around the world. The term "nutrition education" is interpreted differently by people. The nursery school teacher may be concerned with establishing good food habits, the worker in low-income areas may want to change certain eating practices, the public health worker may be considering a disease prevention program, while the individual teaching other professionals may need to apply teaching principles to nutrition knowledge. In future issues, the term "nutrition education" will be explored from many different viewpoints. As a result of the great interest in the prototype issue published Fall 1968 and our first issue, a list of ideas for material which might appear in future issues has been compiled. The following are examples from this list: Evaluation of methods of reaching people with nutrition information at preschool, elementary, junior high, high school, university and community levels; evidence of improving health through better nutrition practices such as in the community, families, and larger groups; economics of food production and consumption as it relates to nutrition education; teaching techniques such as visual aids; World food problems as related to nutrition education; interpretation of nutrition status surveys for nutrition education; discussion of nutrients in recommended daily allowances with suggestions for approaches in nutrition education; roles of nutrition educators in interpretation of fortification and enrichment of food; examples of the school lunch as a vehicle of education; the needs and approaches to low-income families; how persons with low incomes view their educational needs in nutrition; how program aides evaluate the effectiveness of approaches to nutrition; Experiences of a nutritionist as a part of the health team; background information on subjects such as food toxicity and contaminants, food protection legislation; nutrition education as a part of the training of other professionals such as physicians, dentists, nurses, physical education teachers and nursery school teachers. If you feel inspired or know someone who is' versed on any of these topics or related ones, please feel free to submit an article.

Letters to the Editor Need to "Sell" Nutrition ; ... I am happy to see the efforts of a group of professional nutrition scientists culminate in this publication. For, if the knowledge we seek and the facts we uncover in the laboratory are not for the benefit of mankind, then how can we justify our research? I am still wondering why the dissemination of nutrition information was dropped after World War II? Why didn't our professional nutrition societies un4 / JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION

cover and stimulate solutions of problems of the hungry and malnourished in this country? If the food, tobacco and soap industries can sell their wares via television and other electronic media, why can't our professional nutrition societies support and encourage a similar effort in behalf of good nutrition for the benefit of all of our people? Americans need to be told that the benefits of good (wise) food selection will be good health, and vigor, better eye-

sight, better blood vessels, better mental function, etc. I am suggesting that we dispense with the traditional method of selling carrots "because they have vitamin A in them." Because training in nutrition education has been the least glamorous of the nutrition professions, we do not have enough trained people to carry the message adequately. It is for this reason that we need a massive campaign through the public media. I hope your future articles will also help nutrition education specialists to evaluate the published information in scientific journals etc., so that the information they pass on will be of the highest quality. (Mrs.) Mary W. Marshall, Research Nutritionist, Human Nutrition Research Div. ARS, USDA, Washington, D.C.

Two Points of View In our research project recently concluded, we formulated a proposal concerning nutrition which may be of interest to you. It seemed that there existed two prevailing points of view relevant to nutrition, lay and professional or scientific. The lay perspective is one held by almost anyone who has eaten a meal and is characterized by truths passed on from mother to daughter. The professional or scientific view is one which George Briggs aptly details in his paper in the latest edition of your journal. This perspective is based on study and research. A significant problem exists in nutrition education because of the confusion which exists when these two points of view are confused. If groups of people feel secure in their nutritional education as being scientific when in reality it is purely lay, this false sense of security can lead to difficulties. It sets up problems for the nutritionist who chooses to educate and change behavior when the recipient sees no problem. As a health educator in an allied profession, many nurses and physicians continue to operate using lay information when they are perceived as scientific and professional. This causes problems for the nutritionists and the patient. It seems clarification of levels of nutrition needs some thought to produce more effective educational programs. Marjorie E. Newton, Associate Professor of Nutrition, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif. FALL, 1969