Addressing Healthy Foods and Nutritional Education with Cleveland's Youth
Brenda McLelland
Capella University
MSN 6012
Unit 8: Designing Health Promotion Programs

September, 2015

Abstract
Concerns about addressing the nutritional health of Cleveland’s impoverished children continue to plague the Cleveland community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013, Cleveland has the third largest child poverty rate among the top cities in the United States ("Hunger Facts," 2013). Insufficient resources to provide adequate food and lack of proper nutritional education for these children has a dramatic effect on the health and well-being for this vulnerable group. Not only does poverty have a direct relationship to negative child outcomes, but nutritional intake and education, as well. This article will focus on a theory-based health care promotion plan that will address the poor, school-age children living in Cleveland. Strategies will be identified in promoting nutritional education to improve healthy eating for these children in an attempt to improve the health and wellness for this vulnerable group. Guidelines for quality monitoring, evaluating, and adaptations of this health promotion plan will also be discussed so that it can be used across various health care settings. Implementing a health promotion plan that incorporates appropriate theory, research-based interventions, evaluative measures, and quality improvement metrics is pivotal if the health care professional is to be successful in supporting desired healthy behaviors for all populations. Enhancing and expanding cultural sensitivity for our diverse populations will prepare a holistic workforce that will improve the health and health equity in our underserved communities.

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