Community Engagement

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH CENTER FOR COMMUNITY NUTRITION

Center for Community Nutrition

Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are on the rise in Utah, across the nation, and abroad. Community-based education on lifestyle changes—including weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise—has proven remarkably effective in preventing or significantly delaying onset of these diseases for people who have access.

Since starting in 2017, the University of Utah Center for Community Nutrition (UCCN) has provided targeted nutrition education and diabetes prevention programming for those as highest risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, reaching over 250,000 individuals across the Mountain West.

In addition to providing free programming in schools and to community groups, we advance research in community, school, and policy interventions by designing and implementing novel ways of interacting with families, schools, and community members.

Family Food Matters

The Family Food Matters program is a series of workshops that cover three topics: child nutrition, family movement, and creating a healthy home environment.

Workshops are taught by registered dietitians and can include food demonstrations or snacks. Kids are welcome to attend. These workshops are a weight-inclusive space, where caregivers can benefit from peer-support and discuss ways to enhance true wellbeing that do not include weight loss or dieting.

Check out Family Food Matters to learn more and request a workshop for your parenting group or school.

Learn More About Family Food Matters

Family Movement Video

Healthy Eating Video

Healthy Home Video

K-12 Nutrition Curriculum for Schools

Team Thrive Elementary was designed for kids in kindergarten to 6^th grade, with input from Utah elementary school teachers and administrators. It includes 17 interactive lesson plans on food, physical activity, and media literacy, all aligned with Utah State Board of Education standards. Lessons include learning objectives, reading passages, and fun activities like food bingo that can be adapted to meet the needs of all classrooms.

Crush Diabetes was deigned for middle schoolers. It includes 3 lesson plans covering nutrition basics, diabetes prevention, and physical activity. Lessons include worksheets, videos, and slide decks. This curriculum also includes a film that portrays teen and young adult's experience living with diabetes.

Team Thrive High School was designed for high school students with input from Utah high school teachers and administrators, as well as an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers. Each of the 8 lessons includes learning objectives, a complete lesson plan, between 2-4 in-class activities, and optional homework, with a focus on skill-building, personal goal setting, and teamwork. This evidence-based curriculum meets every Utah State Board of Education standard for nutrition. Check out the research paper on the effectiveness of our high school curriculum here.

Food, Movement, & You

Food, Movement, & You is a free diabetes prevention and nutrition education program for individuals and families facing homelessness. Research shows that a majority of people experiencing homelessness have low nutrition security, which means they lack access to required amounts of nutritionally adequate food. High rates of diet-related chronic diseases are also common in people experiencing homelessness.

To address these issues, we collaborate with many local organizations and service providers to increase access to healthful foods, from directly providing local organic produce to emergency pantries and shelters to running on-site gardening clubs to assist children, youth, and their parents learn to grow and prepare nutritious foods.

Learn More About Food, Movement, & You

FREE FMU Cookbook

National Science Foundation CIVIC Innovation Grant U.U. IFARM Hub Research Project. University of Utah Investigators: Shannon Jones, Sarah Canham, Paul Estabrooks, Julie Lucero, and Jeff Rose. Civic Investigators: Lynnette Burn, James Loomis, Sarah Strang.

Culinary Medicine

This course teaches students the basics of evidence-based nutrition as it relates to the real-world problem of food. It goes beyond macro and micronutrients to analyze how nutrition translates into real food choices and reasonable patient advice regarding what, when, why, and how to eat. Culinary Medicine takes place in a teaching kitchen, where students prepare and enjoy meals while discussing the science of nutrition and how to help patients make health behavior change.

Students who have completed the Culinary Medicine program have the opportunity to lead culinary medicine cooking classes in the community. These community classes aim to provide hands-on nutrition education and practical culinary skills for populations experiencing high disease risk. Not only do these experiences enhance the learning experience of future health professionals, they also positively impact the health outcomes of community members.

Learn More Culinary Medicine

A Larry H. Miller Family Wellness Initiative

Driving Out Diabetes (DODI)

In partnership with the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, University of Utah Health has launched an interdisciplinary initiative to battle diabetes in the state of Utah and across the region through education and prevention outreach, innovations in clinical care, and cutting-edge research. Learn more by visiting their website.

Driving Out Diabetes