Authors

  1. Sutton, Elizabeth MS, RN, CNE

Article Content

The foundational nutrition content for prelicensure nursing students, which typically focused on dietary needs in the acute care setting, was transformed with an active learning experience applicable to students' home-learning environment. Students were instructed to find an adult friend or family member willing to share nutritional information with the student as part of a learning activity. Students completed the USDA DRI Calculator for Health Professionals (https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-calculator/) with the participant. They were asked to share the results with the participant and help them identify any areas of concern in relation to body mass index (BMI), activity level, and suggested macronutrient intake. Students explored with the participant what they would need to do to meet goals such as increased activity, decreased BMI, or increased fiber, protein, or water consumption. After the interview, students read about the social determinants of health (SDOH) (https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health). They also completed a written reflection on how the SDOH could impact their participant's nutritional status. Many students identified the impact of the environment and access to fresh foods as important considerations when teaching about nutrition. Further class discussion emphasized SDOH as a reference when formulating patient teaching plans about nutrition and as a way of connecting nursing practice to public policy initiatives.