Hands-on nutrition training for pediatric primary health care practitioners: a novel combination of culinary and applied nutritional education to promote healthy eating habits in childhood

WHO has raised the alarm on obesity related complications and mortality rates of NCDs. Pediatric care practitioners are at the front line of health provision to families and can address high risk populations. A relevant WHO report emphasizes that pediatric care practitioners have an important role to play in tackling the childhood obesity epidemic, noting that “health professionals and all those providing services to children and adolescents need appropriate training on nutrition and diet, physical activity and the risk factors for developing obesity”. Nevertheless, significant gaps exist in nutritional knowledge and counseling skills, which could be related to the limited nutrition training in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. A survey among EU pediatricians revealed that although most were convinced of their role in obesity prevention, they did not feel sufficiently competent to deliver relevant services.Dr. PED-Chef aims to develop training for pediatric primary health care practitioners on childhood nutrition-related issues through the combination of hands-on nutrition science education with culinary medicine education, which is an innovative approach to improving eating behaviors.The specific objectives are to:-develop an interactive training curriculum reflecting the needs of pediatric care practitioners for effective provision of healthy nutrition guidance to children and their families-increase knowledge and skills in providing counseling on nutrition-dependent issues to pediatric patients-apply an innovative educational practice, i.e. culinary medicine education, including cooking and food skills that improve attitudes on healthy eating behaviors-advocate for the inclusion of nutritional issues to medical academic curriculaThe project targets:•pediatricians •pediatric nurses •medical and nursing students specializing in pediatrics•other professionals involved in pediatric care, e.g. family doctors, midwifesThe project will train over 18 staff members and 160 members of the target groups through the face-to-face and the e-learning platform. Through the multiplier events over 190 participants will be approached, while through the project dissemination an audience of more than 1,000 stakeholders will be reached. Dr. PED-Chef main activities that lead to tangible outputs and results include:(1)Conceptual framework for training pediatric primary health care practitioners(2)Training curriculum methodology(3)Development of the training curriculum package(4)e-learning platform(5)Vocational education and training activities, i.e. 3-day short term joint staff event for partners (C1) and 5-day blended mobility event (C2) for the target groups.(6)Guidance for VET providers and academic institutionsSix partner organizations from Norway, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Turkey and Italy facing common challenges in promoting healthy eating habits and preventing childhood obesity will work towards achieving the project objectives. In order to ensure high quality, the training will be based on a review of existing training opportunities. Participatory research among target groups will also be conducted to determine knowledge gaps and training requirements. The resulting evidence-based curriculum methodology will include guidelines for the development of a training package, aimed to improve relevant skills and competencies. Training topics will include nutritional science courses and culinary medicine methods and will be delivered through face-to-face seminars and an e-learning platform. Finally, the “Guidance and recommendations for VET trainers” will provide guidelines for VET providers and stakeholders for further exploitation of the training. In parallel, multiplier transnational and national events will enhance exchange of knowledge. Dissemination will target VET and service providers, relevant authorities at local/regional level, professional associations, academic institutions, government services and policymakers at national/European level.This novel, in particular at an EU level, initiative is expected to increase participants’ competence on nutritional health communication practices and cooking/food skills that enhance their ability and self-efficacy to provide related services. Dr. PED-Chef will also increase awareness on the importance of addressing nutrition and obesity issues in medical training curricula. At the same time, it will provide hands-on guidelines, evaluated practices and material that can be easily adopted by academic institutions and VET providers. Furthermore, the e-learning platform, available in multiple languages, will continue to be accessible after project completion, further promoting awareness about the value of nutrition counseling through innovative practices. As a result, Dr. PED-Chef envisions to contribute to the specialized training received by EU professionals involved in pediatric care, and hence to the health and well-being of children.