Articles
Vol. 1 (2025)
Bridging the Nutrition Education Gap: From Theory to Practice- A Scalable Model for Nutrition Practicums in Medical Training
Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India
Independent Researcher, Consultant Biostatistician (Freelance), United Arab Emirates
Resource and sharing Specialist, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Submitted
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July 21, 2025
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Published
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2025-07-20
Abstract
Background: With Kerala’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is crucial to strengthen nutrition education for medical students to equip future physicians with the ability to provide evidence-based dietary guidance.
This study examined the effectiveness of incorporating practical demonstrations into the nutrition curriculum of a private medical college in Kerala, Southern India. By integrating hands-on training, the researchers sought to enhance student engagement, deepen understanding of dietetic principles through practical application, and improve confidence in providing dietary counseling.
Methods; The study incorporated practical demonstrations such as meal planning, dietary assessments, and food label interpretation into the nutrition curriculum for third year medical students. Student feedback was collected through open-ended discussions and reflective exercises to assess their engagement and perceptions of the perceived learning outcomes.
Results; Qualitative feedback indicated that students found practical demonstrations highly engaging, improving their confidence in applying nutritional knowledge. Thematic analysis identified key benefits such as enhanced experiential learning, increased ability to interpret nutrition labels, and improved patient counseling skills. However, challenges included limited time for hands-on activities, variability in prior nutrition knowledge, and limited faculty expertise in nutrition education.
Conclusions; Practical demonstrations are an effective strategy for integrating nutrition education into medical curricula in Kerala as underscored by this study. By aligning with the National Medical Commission’s emphasis on integrated, application-based learning, and Kerala’s goals of addressing its rising burden of non-communicable diseases linked to malnutrition, this study offers a scalable model to strengthen clinical nutrition education, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes nationwide.
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