UAMS Preventive Nutrition Project

Project Description
Introduction     Abstract

Project Aims
Specific Aim 1: Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive preventive nutrition curriculum that encompasses sound nutrition principles and clinical practice skills for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and obesity. The initial focus will be on the College of Medicine undergraduate curriculum where we will increase total contact hours from 16 for most students to 48.5 in an integrated 4-year curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on affecting patient dietary habits within the constraints of regional customs and limited physician time. Practical tools such as an integrated office system to influence patient nutrition in busy practices will be taught. Following careful evaluation of this undergraduate curriculum during the first two grant years, graduate education will be targeted. Topics to be included in the curriculum are:

1. knowledge of the basic science and epidemiology of CVD, obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases;

2. assessment of diet and nutrition-related risk factors for CVD, diabetes and other chronic diseases;

3. the role of lifestyle modification counseling in altering diet, including opportunities for early childhood interventions to prevent chronic diseases;

4. skills in organization and utilization of practical office systems which encourage preventive measures such as nutrition screening and lifestyle counseling;

5. the role of clinical dietitians, nutritionists, and other health professionals in diet assessment and counseling;

6. skills in medical informatics regarding nutrition science.

Specific Aim 2: Disseminate innovative techniques and curricular modules related to nutrition and prevention of CVD, obesity, and diabetes which may be used in sequence, in combination, or alone by students or practicing health care professionals in the areas of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Related Professions. Specifically, the Core Project Team will:

1. modify or implement medical student training modules (above) for students in each of the UAMS Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Related Professions;

2. establish Web-based strategies to distribute interactive teaching modules and assessment tools that may be accessed by students, professionals and other medical science training institutions;

3. provide technical support to educational institutions utilizing the portable modules developed at UAMS;

4. utilize an existing telemedicine network to link physicians and other health professionals across the campus and the state to ongoing nutrition activities and training in Arkansas;

5. present at national and regional conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals (in collaboration with other awardees, whenever possible).

Specific Aim 3: Develop resources to support ongoing preventive nutrition activities in Arkansas, including education, research and clinical services. The Core Project Team will:

1. establish a wide-reaching Preventive Nutrition Consortium to encourage multidisciplinary interactions among preventive nutrition researchers, teachers, health care providers and community leaders;

2. provide ongoing faculty training in the area of preventive nutrition;

3. stimulate UAMS nutrition research faculty involvement in teaching preventive nutrition;

4. encourage research to improve preventive nutrition education and clinical services; and

5. ensure project self-sustainability beyond grant-end.