HEA 292

Dr. Darwin Dennison
Professor
Department of Health and Applied Human Sciences

Nutrition 101, a proposed trial course in the Department of Health and Applied Human Sciences, will be designed to improve the food choices and eating behaviors of incoming freshman students. The course will feature a tablet-based electronic food and activity log designed to capture the student’s food choices and related eating behaviors. Upon completion of their daily log, the students “click to send” these data to the instructor for analysis. The analyses will include PDF and TIF files that graphically indicate their energy balance and adherence to United States Department of Agriculture and Institute of Medicine standards.  The selected software, DINE Healthy, has been research-tested and approved by the National Cancer Institute for weight loss and weight management programs. With WiFi and Internet connectivity students will be able to access segmented links that will serve as the text for the course.  Students will meet with the instructor in small group sessions every other week to review and discuss their analyses. Weight management and adherence to selected dietary guidelines will serve as the dependent measures for the course. The final project will include the development of a personalized nutrition lifestyle management program for the student’s college years.