Assignment: Nutrition/Metabolic

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Assignment: Nutrition/Metabolic

Nutrition/Metabolic

· Indicators of nutrient deficiencies.

· Obesity rates or percentages: Compare to CDC statistics.

· Affordability of food/available discounts or food programs and usage (e.g., WIC, food boxes, soup kitchens, meals-on-wheels, food stamps, senior discounts, employee discounts, etc.).

· Availability of water (e.g., number and quality of drinking fountains).

· Fast food and junk food accessibility (vending machines).

· Evidence of healthy food consumption or unhealthy food consumption (trash, long lines, observations, etc.).

· Provisions for special diets, if applicable.

· For schools (in addition to above):

· Nutritional content of food in cafeteria and vending machines: Compare to ARS 15-242/The Arizona Nutrition Standards (or other state standards based on residence)

· Amount of free or reduced lunch

Elimination (Environmental Health Concerns)

· Common air contaminants’ impact on the community.

· Noise.

· Waste disposal.

· Pest control: Is the community notified of pesticides usage?

· Hygiene practices (laundry services, hand washing, etc.).

· Bathrooms: Number of bathrooms; inspect for cleanliness, supplies, if possible.

· Universal precaution practices of health providers, teachers, members (if applicable).

· Temperature controls (e.g., within buildings, outside shade structures).

· Safety (committee, security guards, crossing guards, badges, locked campuses).

Activity/Exercise

· Community fitness programs (gym discounts, P.E., recess, sports, access to YMCA, etc.).

· Recreational facilities and usage (gym, playgrounds, bike paths, hiking trails, courts, pools, etc.).

· Safety programs (rules and regulations, safety training, incentives, athletic trainers, etc.).

· Injury statistics or most common injuries.

· Evidence of sedentary leisure activities (amount of time watching TV, videos, and computer).

· Means of transportation.

Sleep/Rest

· Sleep routines/hours of your community: Compare with sleep hour standards (from National Institutes of Health [NIH]).

· Indicators of general “restedness” and energy levels.

· Factors affecting sleep:

· Shift work prevalence of community members

Environment (noise, lights, crowding, etc.)

· Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs

· Homework/Extracurricular activities

· Health issues

Environment (noise, lights, crowding, etc.)

· Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs

· Homework/Extracurricular activities

· Health issues