Innovation in Community Nutrition Leadership, Research and Collaboration

Strengthening nutrition expertise and local capacity to address health education and food and nutrition problems has been recognized as a key area for action in order to improve nutrition worldwide. Within developing countries, this is fundamental to the successful implementation of identified nutrition programs. Effective health education requires more than including health or nutrition information in instruction. Studies and program-based experience have shown that student participation and leadership are vital to the successful integration of health and nutrition into the curriculum. The participation and leadership of students ensure that: topics are “on target” for student needs, knowledge imparted honours different cultural beliefs and practices about health, and the teaching and learning is  approached through creative and involving methods.   This paper will share findings and best practices from the personal experience of the author about a model of community nutrition that has been integrated into the Masters in Applied Human Nutrition (MAHN) curricula at Hawassa University, Ethiopia.  The participatory curriculum design process will be described, tools employed to combine research and experiential learning with classroom activities in strengthening opportunities to improve food security and human nutrition in Ethiopia will be presented.  The strength of the approach which includes, the coming together of this local and international and interdisciplinary partnership of faculty and graduate students to address food security concerns and health concerns will be a main focus.  Presented also will be   4- posters focusing on practical applications carried out in the classroom and research conducted by n graduates of the MAHN program that focused on assessment of nutritional concerns among infant, children and adolescents and the promotion of pulse as a source of protein for complementary feedings in Southern Ethiopia.