Loading...
Tough Cookies: Hands On Nutrition at Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center
Adams, Maura Beucher, Meghan Gerrity, Colleen Libby, Brock Masson, Ronald McQuiggan, Michael Patlak, Johann Piper, Laura Rubin, Alan Christensen, Judith
Adams, Maura
Beucher, Meghan
Gerrity, Colleen
Libby, Brock
Masson, Ronald
McQuiggan, Michael
Patlak, Johann
Piper, Laura
Rubin, Alan
Christensen, Judith
Citations
Altmetric:
License
DOI
Abstract
Background: Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center provides a safe and secure environment to teenagers who have been remanded here by the court system for either short or long term care. We focused on nutrition at the center, particularly the evening snacks provided. The foods teens choose to eat are extremely important as total nutrient needs are higher in adolescence than during any other time in the life cycle. Little prior research on the nutritional beliefs or habits of institutionalized youth has been done. Our goal was to improve the provided snacks, as some staff members were concerned that these were not healthy. Nutritional value of food is not a priority for many teens, despite the fact that they are usually well informed about good nutrition. Rather than simply dictate a menu change, we also attempted to assess and possibly modify esident attitudes regarding healthy food. We hoped to both provide a more nutritionally healthy environment and to each knowledge and skills that would lead to long-term physical and emotional benefits in an at-risk population.
Description
Date
2010-02-24