Counseling Strategies to Improve Nutrition Care for Rural Appalachian Patients

Abstract

Culturally sensitive strategies are critical to help the rural Appalachian population prevent and manage chronic diseases. A multiple-methods approach examined specific nutrition strategies used by practitioners and community members (n = 61). Strategy subthemes were categorized into 4 themes from the previously established Rural Nutrition Care Model (1) access and resources (budgeting, planning, resources), (2) sociocultural influences (whole-family approach, simple messages, building rapport, avoiding assumptions), (3) traditional foods (gardening, cooking), and (4) health behaviors (small changes, prevention). Practitioners and patients had differing perspectives on the nutrition context of the rural population (P < .05), which provides a further rationale for the importance of culturally sensitive nutrition counseling strategies.

Developing and Pilot Testing a Population-focused Nutrition Screen Incorporating Social Determinants of Health

“…Statistical analysis of questionnaire results was performed to identify significant differences between mean scores provided by residents and practitioners. Items with significantly different scores between the two groups were compiled in a draft Rural Adult Nutrition Screen (RANS-1) for field testing with subsequent statistical analysis (Gutschall et al, 2019;Gutschall et al, 2018).…”

“…There is a need for additional nutrition research among rural populations; global researchers have noted not only differences between rural and urban settings but also data gaps resulting from challenges in accessing rural populations, especially in community settings (Balcha et al, 2018;Cesani et al, 2013;Dwyer, Gahche, Weiler, & Arensberg, 2020;Ghimire et al, 2017;Hong, Winichagoon, & Khang, 2020). A nutrition screening tool designed to identify community-dwelling rural adults who may benefit from nutrition education, nutritional management of chronic disease, and/or food assistance services could potentially improve utilization and effectiveness of resources targeted toward rural populations (Gutschall, Marchetti, & Thompson, 2019;Gutschall et al, 2018). Nutrition services offered within the context of rural environments have the potential to ameliorate the impacts of hunger, food insecurity, and chronic disease.…”