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Title:

A health promotion intervention to create awareness

of the health benefits of healthy eating among female

London Metropolitan University Students.

Here is a health and social care business

assignment sample

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Table of Contents

Introduction: ........................................................................................................................ 3

Aim of the paper: ................................................................................................................ 3

Objectives of the paper: ...................................................................................................... 3

Literature review: ................................................................................................................ 4

Methods: ........................................................................................................................... 11

Sampling: .......................................................................................................................... 11

Brief description of contents of health talk and leaflets: .................................................. 11

Results: .............................................................................................................................. 12

Discussion: ........................................................................................................................ 13

Evaluation: ....................................................................................................................... 14

Conclusion and recommendations: ................................................................................... 15

References: ........................................................................................................................ 16

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Introduction:

This paper focuses on the health intervention to create awareness of the health benefits of

healthy eating among female London Metropolitan University Students. As per Teague

(2007), health is currently a global and national problem in the UK. Diet has a crucial

impact on health; not eating a healthy diet will increase the morbidity of some chronic

disease such as cancer, heart disease and type two diabetes (Lewis, 2006).

Rationale:

There is a high percentage of University Students who gain weight during the first few

years. Data collected in 2007-2008 from students at seven different universities in the UK

suggests that only a low proportion of students consumed the recommended daily intake

of 5 or more fruit and vegetable. It has been revealed that only 16.5% of female students

ate the daily recommended vegetable servings. Thus, it is important to create awareness of

the health benefits of healthy eating among London Metropolitan University Students.

Aim of the paper:

The aim of this health promotion intervention is to create awareness of the health benefits

of healthy eating among female London Metropolitan Students.

Objectives of the paper:

At the end of this intervention all participant should be able to:

1. State five health benefit of healthy eating

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2. Identify the five health group

3. List five places in the community where information is provided on healthy eating.

Literature review:

Health Promotion:

The health promotion involves policies, plans and programs of public health actions to

prevent people from exposing themselves to conditions and determinants of diseases. They

can comprise of health education programs that purport to teach people to care for their

health. It also encourages appropriate practices to improve the quality of life, distinguishing

primary care or actions of preventive medicine. Each of the elements is determined by a

set of characteristics attributed to the "Natural History of Disease", for example, in relation

to the natural history of syphilis, following factors were acquired:

• Agent factors - biological characteristics, prerequisites unit, low resistance;

• Environmental factors - geography, climate, family instability, low-income,

housing, inadequate recreation facilities, diagnostic facilities;

• Guest factors - age, sex, race, personality development, ethics and sex education,

promiscuity, prophylaxis (Lauver, 2011).

The socio-economic factors and lifestyles contribute to 40-50%, the state of the

environment and conditions for 20-33%, genetic inheritance for another 20-30%, and

health services for the remaining 10-15%. The socio-economic gradient appears to be the

most relevant factor for the amount of life (and probably quality), and consequently it is

more important than other factors such as, for example, the contribution of health systems

(Heckheimer, 2009). In fact, when evaluating and comparing the results of health systems

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in terms of longevity of the reference populations, it is seen that the advanced industrialized

countries have equitable access to services; there is virtually no correlation between

spending (and therefore the availability services and health care) and life expectancy. The

"culture" of the Mediterranean, for example, is essentially linked to specific dietary factors

and climate gives an "annuity" of about 3-4 years to start in terms of life expectancy of the

people of the South Europe compared to those of North, regardless of the efficiency and

effectiveness of health services (Heckheimer, 2009).

The theoretical model of explanation / intervention related to health is called health

promotion substitute (redefining). This is a triadic model of agent-host-environment (seen

as ecological) for a quadrupole scheme consisting of: human biology, environment,

lifestyle and health service system. It is more effective especially for "realizing" the rise of

chronic diseases - degenerative or non – communicable diseases featuring the modern

world. The emphasis is on collective subject - the community and the "creation" (implicit)

(Lauver, 2011). Health promotion is a proposal in the contemporary global public health

disseminated by the World Health Organization since 1984, establishing itself as a new

paradigm and that this contrasts with the model expressed through individualism (attention

to individual), the expertise, and the technologization in health care, prevalent until then in

health practices. Health promotion is done through different strategies (Degeling, 2010).

The most common ones are billboards, posters, display ads, etc. Another strategy is

distributing info-graphics and leaflets at strategic locations which are frequented by target

groups. TV commercials and videos are used too. Seminars, health talk meetings,

roadshows and different kinds of events can be organized by communities in order to

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spread awareness. At times, celebrities are also involved in order to increase impact (Cribb,

2012).

Five benefits of healthy eating:

Five benefits of healthy eating are mentioned as follows:

• Healthy heart: If the diet is balanced, the heart functions effiiciently and

cardiovascular diseases do not affect the body (Seedhouse, 1997).

• Strong bone and teeth: A heathy diet makes sure that the bones and teeth do not

suffer from calcium deficiency. If the diet is balanced, adequate amounts of

calcium, sodium and Vitamin D intake will be there (Tannahill, 2012).

• Energy: A healthy diet helps in buring fat and producing more energy. Thus, with

a proper diet, a person can have high energy levels all through the day. This factor

also helps in losing excess weight (Degeling, 2010).

• Health brain: A good diet ensures that the flow of blood to the brain is adequate.

This helps in efficient functioning of the brain. This can even help avoid

Alzheimer’s disease (Tannahill, 2012).

• Weight loss: As mentioned before, a healthy diet helps in burning excess fat. A

person can tone down a lose excess weight by opting for a balanced and healthy

diet (Cribb, 2012).

The five health groups:

The five health groups stand for the five healthy food categories. This is a pyramid-shaped

nutrition recommendation, in which the relative proportions are represented by food groups

that are recommended for a healthy diet. The items entered at the top should be taken in a

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smaller amount, so that the approximate ratio is presented (Bracht, 1999). The first-known

food pyramid was that of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has

now been adapted several times. Their structure is not without controversy and other

governmental and non-governmental organizations in many countries made

recommendations in the form of modified food pyramids. The original aim of the

pyramidal recommendations for a healthy diet was only a quantitatively adequate supply

of food ingredients (Kreuter, 1999).

Other food groups:

Expanded pyramid by USDA: The current food pyramid by the USDA was created in 2004.

It is called MyPyramid, and consists of six food groups based on hierarchical presentation.

No general absolute serving information is provided (called Portions/Servings) but only

relative quantities are shown. In addition, a customized version with absolute dose

information is available that is generated on the basis of gender, age, weight and physical

fitness (Kreuter, 1999).

Comparison between health pyramids

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WHO pyramid: In 2000, the WHO Regional Office for Europe which gave CINDI dietary

guide within the CINDI (Countrywide integrated non-communicable disease intervention)

program included a food pyramid. It is composed of three hierarchical levels with four food

groups, in addition, a traffic light color coding from green to red. The carbohydrate

carrier/vegetable/fruit group is in the second level; the two groups of dairy products and

proteins (animal and vegetable) is at the bottom and high sugar and fatty foods are at the

top (Tannahill, 2012).

Healthy Eating Pyramid of the Harvard School of Public Health: Vegetable oils (from

olive, canola, soybean, corn germ, sunflower seeds or peanuts) can now be found at the

base at the fiber rich cereal products; while husked rice, white bread, potatoes and pasta,

butter and red meat are found at the top, ie at the only in small amounts to consuming food

stand. Meat is differentiated between poultry and red meat; poultry is considered to be

healthier and therefore should be eaten more often. Poultry, fish and nuts are to be the main

sources of protein, while red meat and cheese should be eaten as seldom as possible.

However, the authors admit also that there is some uncertainty about the connection

between eating habits and health (Tannahill, 2012).

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Healthy Eating Pyramid of the Harvard School of Public Health

Five places in the community where information is provided on healthy eating:

There are a lot of community health oriented organizations which promote healthy eating

in London. Five of the most significant options are:

• Sustain: Sustain is an organization in London that aims at the generation of better

food. It focuses on improving agricultural processes and food manufacturing

processes in order to make food items healthier. It also promotes health eating and

provides information about different health food options in and around London.

• World preservation foundation: This foundation promotes plant based diets and

veganism. It believes that over consumption of red meat and other meats are is the

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root cause of many health issues like cardiovascular diseases, obesity, etc. Hence,

it provides guidance and information about vegan and plant based diets.

• Well: Well is an organization that that promotes health among different

communities. It raises awareness about different health issues and shares

information about different healthy living and eating options through events like

seminars, roadshows, etc. It also provides training on different health related

courses and also provides accreditation and certification on health and quality of

products, foods, etc. (Kreuter,1999).

• Patient: This is another organization dedicated to improving the lifestyles and

eating habits of people. It increases awareness through leaflets, events, etc. It

provides screening tests for a lot of health issues including Cancer.

• Change for life: This is program created by NHS aimed at improving life. It

promotes phsical activity, fitness, health eating, etc. and provides information about

strategies than can improve health. It also provides guidance through videos

(Denham, 2012).

All of these organizations have strong web and social media presence. They can be

accessed very easily through their websites or through social networking sites. They can

provide support through phone too.

Health promotion strategies:

The health promotion strategies used in this paper is a health talk meeting and leaflets. At

first, a survey was done with open ended questions to find out the gaps in the knowledge

about healthy eating. Then, a power point presentation was used to increase awareness

about the need for a healthy diet. It also identified five community based organizations

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which can provide help, guidance and support related to improving eating habits. Also, an

ideal healthy diet was recommended to the women who were involved in the meeting.

Leaflets were distributed too. After this, another survey, using the previous set of questions

was used in order find out whether the gaps in knowledge have been overcome or not

(Tannahill, 2012).

Methods:

The first step is to give out consent form before carrying out the intervention. After this,

autonomy will be promoted by letting the participants select to be part of the intervention.

The intervention is going to maintain confidentiality and the participants will have the right

and same information and no harm will be caused to them (Non-Maleficence). Four weeks

have been taken to plan and carry out the intervention. In the first week, the participants

have been sourced. In the second week, the questionnaire and leaflets have been designed.

In the third week, the intervention has been carried out. The evaluation has been done in

the last week.

Sampling:

10 self selected Female undergraduate students from London Metropolitan University will

be the target group from this intervention. Their age ranges from 19-45.

Brief description of contents of health talk and leaflets:

This paper recommended some effective strategies to improve eating habits and lifestyle

of the women involved in the health promotion through leaflets and health talk. The women

were recommended to make sure that they have:

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• Daily intake of min. 1.5 liters of water and alcohol-free or low-energy drinks.

• Daily 3 servings of vegetables or legumes, and 2 servings of fruit.

• Daily 4 servings of cereals, breads, pasta, rice or potatoes (5 servings for active

athletes and children) - preferably wholegrain.

• Daily 3 servings of low fat milk and milk products.

• Per week, 1-2 servings of fish. Per week up to 3 servings of lean meat or low-fat

sausages. Per week up to 3 eggs.

• Daily 1-2 tablespoon of vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. String, baking and frying

fats and high-fat dairy products should be used sparingly.

• Fat, sugar and salt-rich foods and energy drinks infrequently (Denham, 2012).

Results:

Pre-intervention questionnaire:

1. What are five health problems caused by unhealthy diet and eating habits?

2. What are five advantages of healthy eating?

3. What are the five health groups?

4. Name five places in the community where information is provided on healthy

eating.

Findings from pre-intervention questionnaire:

Objectives – target group (10)

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n %

Identify five health problems

caused by unhealthy diet

5

50

Identify five health benefits of

healthy diet

4 40

Identify five health groups of

food

3 30

Identify five places in the

community where

information is provided on

healthy eating

3 30

Table 1: Findings from pre-intervention questionnaire

Discussion:

The findings from pre-intervention questionnaire reveal that there is a huge lack of

awareness about health groups of food and places in the community where information is

provided on healthy eating. Awareness about health benefits of health eating is low too,

while awareness about health problems caused by unhealthy diet is moderate.

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Evaluation:

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, a survey with open ended

questions was used.

Post-intervention questionnaire:

5. What are five health problems caused by unhealthy diet and eating habits?

6. What are five advantages of healthy eating?

7. What are the five health groups?

8. Name five places in the community where information is provided on healthy

eating.

Findings from post-intervention questionnaire:

Objectives – target group (10)

n %

Identify five health problems

caused by unhealthy diet

10

100

Identify five health benefits of

healthy diet

10 100

Identify five health groups of

food

9 90

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Identify five places in the

community where

information is provided on

healthy eating

9 90

Table 2: Findings from post-intervention questionnaire

The findings from the post-intervention questionnaire reveal that there is a huge

improvement in awareness about health problems of unhealthy diet, health benefits, health

groups of food and places in the community where information is provided on healthy

eating.

Conclusion and recommendations:

From this intervention, it can be concluded that a healthy diet ensures that a person has

reduced risks of heart diseases and that the heart functions efficiently and cardiovascular

diseases do not affect the body. The original five food groups were: proteins,

carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. There are a lot of community health oriented

organizations which promote healthy eating in London. These organizations can provide

support and guidance about health eating.

From this intervention, it can be recommended that women need to have balanced diet that

involves:

• Daily intake of min. 1.5 liters of water and alcohol-free or low-energy drinks.

• Daily 3 servings of vegetables or legumes, and 2 servings of fruit.

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• Daily 4 servings of cereals, breads, pasta, rice or potatoes (5 servings for active

athletes and children) - preferably wholegrain.

• Daily 3 servings of low fat milk and milk products.

• Per week, 1-2 servings of fish. Per week up to 3 servings of lean meat or low-fat

sausages. Per week up to 3 eggs.

• Daily 1-2 tablespoon of vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. String, baking and frying

fats and high-fat dairy products should be used sparingly.

• Fat, sugar and salt-rich foods and energy drinks infrequently (Dychtwald, 2012).

Along with a healthy diet, it is important to incorporate moderate to high physical activity

into the lifestyles of the women. Activities like jogging, cycling, swimming, walking, etc.

can be adequate.

References:

Please don’t forget to reference your health assignment.

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