1. Postdoctoral Research Associate, UBC
What are the essential nutrition information needs to optimize the health of families?
Tanis Mihalynuk, PhD, RD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, UBC
Vancouver, Canada

2. Presentation Overview
I. Pretest
II. Introduction
III. Nutrition & Families: a ‘gold standard’ ?
IV. Individualizing nutrition
V. The ‘E’ Word
VI. Post-test
VI. Conclusions and thanks

3. I. Quick Pre-test Fat contains ____ calories per gram
Alcohol contains ____ calories per gram
The most atherogenic of the fats is____
T or F Natural multivitamins are superior to synthetic multivitamins
T or F The Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines are applicable for all ages

4. I. Quick Pre-test (cont’d)
Please list the top 5 nutrition inquiries you get from friends, family and / or patients that you would like to be better equipped to answer
If you could answer one question about nutrition and families after this presentation, what would it be?

5. II. Intro: What is health?
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”
(WHO, 1948)

6. II. What does nutrition have to do with health?
2nd leading cause of mortality in the US, behind tobacco (Mokdad et al, JAMA 2000;291(10): )
Under- & overnutrition and morbidity & mortality
Individual and population-based nutrition strategies to optimize health

7. II. What do we mean by families?
Nuclear? Extended?
(Conference ‘probes’: genogram, family circle)
Age range: most references focus on nutrition information strategies for children when referring to ‘families’
What about adults and elderly?

8. III. Is there a nutrition gold standard for families?
A. Dietary Guidelines?
B. Food Guide Pyramid?
C. Food Label?
D. Other?

9. A. Dietary Guidelines**
Emphasis on foods over nutrients
Variety, moderation, energy balance
Regular physical activity (combo of anaerobic & aerobic)
**Includes key recommendations for specific population groups

10. B. Food Guide Pyramid (FGP)
Updated: ‘One size doesn’t fit all’
( )
-pay attention to portions!
Adapted for different populations:
( )

11. C. The Food Label
Great ‘free’ nutrition information tool for quick assessments of nutrient and energy density of foods
Teach kids early; make it fun (label / other nutrition information games)
‘Red flags’: high salt, trans fat or saturated fat (hydrog veg oil, palm / coconut oil)

12. D. Other: The diet ‘flavor of the month’
GI, Zone, Sonoma, Atkins, French, etc, etc
‘Sexy’ sells
What about kids and diets?

13. D. Other: The “Pleasure Principle”
CHOCOLATE
Foods as ‘fillers’ (more than the tummy)
Moderation, even in excess

14. IV. Individualizing Nutrition
Food diaries (self-reflection)
Genes / Family history
Environmental / societal influencers

15. IV. Individualizing (cont’d): To supplement or not….
Special groups
Pregnant /lactating
Established nutrient deficiencies (genes +/- environment)
‘lifecycle nutrition’, from babes to elderly
‘Added insurance’

16. V. The ‘E-Word’ VI. Post-test / Self-reflection
Exercise: THE Elixir of Life
Anaerobic and aerobic
Fun for the whole family
Start early
Prioritize
VI. Post-test / Self-reflection

17. VII. Conclusions Consider individuals <> families
Meet the person where he / she is at
‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’
Don’t forget the ‘E’ word
Make healthy eating and living fun…and remember: it’s much more fun with two…or three…or more….

18. Questions & Comments ?
Thank you