Life Cycle Nutrition for Public Health Professionals

Life Cycle Nutrition for Public Health Professionals is the first textbook using a public health approach and population-focused lens to explore nutrition across each life cycle phase. It provides the basic principles of normal nutrition across each developmental phase in the life course, along with the foundational knowledge of key determinants, challenges, and outcomes among communities and populations within each nutrition phase. Using the Public Health 3.0 framework as a guide, the text illustrates how evidence-based public health nutrition programs can improve individual and population health.

This comprehensive text contains chapters spanning every major life cycle phase―from preconception and pregnancy through older adulthood. It covers optimal growth and development, health promotion and prevention topics, public health nutrition issues, social determinants of health, and examples of evidence-based public health nutrition programs and policies in the United States and around the globe. Major public health nutrition themes found in life cycle phases are discussed, including food security, life stage issues in vulnerable populations, maternal and child health, childhood obesity, chronic disease prevention, optimal aging, public health nutrition emergency management, issues related to health communication and health education, as well as economic impacts of poor public health nutrition. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and cultural competencies, and featuring case studies, discussion questions, and learning activities in each chapter, Life Cycle Nutrition for Public Health Professionals is a unique, engaging, and essential resource.

Key Features:

• Presents life cycle nutrition through a public health and social-ecological lens
• Emphasizes professional, evidence-based approaches to problem-solving in the field with a Public Health 3.0 focus
• Highlights real-world examples of effective public health interventions with engaging case studies, “What Works” sections, and Resources for Further Learning
• Integrates the social determinants of health and their impact on racial and ethnic health disparities throughout each chapter
• Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers, and qualified instructors also have access to a full suite of instructor resources

Kyle L. Thompson, DCN, RDN, LDN, CNSC is Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition at Appalachian State University.

Margaret Barth, PhD, MPH is Professor and Chair of Nutrition and Health Care Management at Appalachian State University.

Melissa D. Gutschall, PhD is a Professor in Nutrition and Foods and Director of Graduate Programs in Nutrition at Appalachian State University.