N07: Nutrition Education – Above Green

(1 point)

INTENT

Improve dietary habits and eating behaviors and increase nutritional knowledge.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires the provision of nutrition education.

ISSUE

Combined with access to nutritious foods, nutrition education is an effective strategy to encourage healthy eating behaviors and well-designed nutrition education programs can lead to healthier food choices. Participation in nutrition education programs was associated with increased fruit and vegetable intake in both children and adults. In children, school-based nutrition education was associated with decreased BMI and weight gain and increased fruit and vegetable consumption. It has also been shown to increase positive attitudes toward fruits and vegetables and may also improve academic performance in primary and middle school children. In adults, nutrition education programs that included cooking demonstrations were associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption, knowledge of a healthy diet and skill in food preparation. Cooking demonstrations also increased frequency of home cooking and self-efficacy for following recipe instructions. At workplaces, nutrition education in combination with modifications to the food environment was associated with reductions in salt and saturated fat intake, lower BMI and higher nutrition knowledge. Overall, nutrition education initiatives have been successful in improving awareness, skills and motivation at home, school and work settings.

SOLUTIONS

Effective nutrition education can be delivered through multiple types of interventions and cover a variety of topics. Nutrition education has been shown to be more effective when focused on changing specific behaviors rather than only increasing knowledge. Additionally, nutrition education is more effective when combined with environmental dietary modifications such as strategic placement of healthier alternatives, portion size control and menu modifications. Educational programming that includes multiple types of interventions (mixed-method programming) and that is on-going or longer term has a greater impact than short-term, single-method interventions. The scope of nutrition education may also be broader than personal nutrition and health. For example, education can cover topics such as safe food handling practices, gardening and food production techniques as well as food preparation skills.

IMPACT

Nutrition education strategies can positively impact individual nutrition and health behaviors.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Provide Nutrition Education (1 point)

Verified by Educational Materials, Policy Document

For All Spaces

At least one of the following is offered at no cost:

Cooking demonstrations on a quarterly basis, at minimum.
Nutrition or dietary education workshops on a quarterly basis, at minimum.
Individual nutrition consultations by registered dietitians or certified nutrition professionals on a quarterly basis, at minimum.
Educational materials including cookbooks, magazines or other literature that promotes healthy eating and nutrition, with at least three different resources available for every 100 regular building occupants or students.

Note: Education must be culturally appropriate and literacy level appropriate. Education can come in the form of trainings, brochures, videos, posters, pamphlets, newsletters and/or other written or online information.

If the requirements of Part 1: Provide Nutrition Education are met through the provision of educational materials then these can be counted toward Part 2: Promote Health and Wellness Education in Feature C01: Health and Wellness Awareness.