-

Teaching MyPlate to Low-Literate & Low-Income Families


The MyPlate graphic has proven to be very helpful when educating families on how to create a balanced meal.  However, if families have lower reading abilities the graphic is not as great of a tool to use for education.  This article discusses one approach to teaching MyPlate to low literate families in four steps.  Step one consists of asking the family what a typical meal looks like for them.  Once these foods are identified, it is possible to modify it to fit MyPlate guidelines.  Meal images are then created.  The second step is to show the meal images to the target audience to ensure acceptability.   Once meal images are appropriate, step three states education messages should be developed.  The messages should be simple, with few words so that the target audience can understand the message.  Step four tests the meal images with education messages for acceptability.  If the target audience shows an understanding then the education material is appropriate.  This article shows the education material they developed through this process.  They show several different plates of healthy foods that make a balanced meal.  I think this is a great idea for managing clients who have a lower education level.


Source:   Shilts, M., Johns, M., Lamp, C., Schneider, C., & Townsend, M. (2015). A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Customizing MyPlate for Low-Literate, Low-Income Families in 4 Steps. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(4).

AF

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more