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Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method
Published on: February 19, 2021
Developing an online certification program for nutrition education assistants.
Debra Christofferson1, Nedra Christensen, Heidi LeBlanc
1Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA. debra.christofferson@usu.edu
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
|July 17, 2012
Summary
An online nutrition education program significantly boosted paraprofessional knowledge and satisfaction. This cost-effective training saved an estimated $16,000 compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Education
- Adult Learning
- Public Health Training
Background:
- Nutrition education paraprofessionals require accessible and effective training.
- Traditional training methods face barriers such as time constraints and travel costs.
- Developing innovative training solutions is crucial for program efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an online certification program for nutrition education paraprofessionals.
- To enhance paraprofessional knowledge, confidence, and job satisfaction.
- To mitigate training barriers including time and travel expenses.
Main Methods:
- An interactive online course was developed based on core competencies of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
- The study involved 22 SNAP-Ed and EFNEP educators in Utah.
- Knowledge and skills were assessed via pre/posttests, and participant satisfaction was measured using surveys.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in paraprofessional knowledge scores was observed (P < .001).
- 90% of participants reported feeling better prepared as nutrition educators after the training.
- Online delivery resulted in an estimated cost saving of $16,000 compared to face-to-face training.
Conclusions:
- The developed interactive online program is a highly effective and cost-efficient method for enhancing paraprofessional nutrition knowledge.
- The online format significantly improved educator satisfaction and preparedness.
- This approach offers a scalable solution for professional development in nutrition education.
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