Recent research has studied the correlation between early life stress (such as adverse childhood experiences, poverty, food insecurity, and caregiver relationships) and obesity/overweight in adults.* It is important to acknowledge the impact these factors can have on an individual’s health status when designing and delivering nutrition education interventions. In order for these interventions to best meet the needs of participants, a trauma informed approach recommends that they be designed and delivered in a way that acknowledges the lived experiences of participants that contribute to their food and nutrition related choices and overall health and wellbeing status. Leah’s Pantry, is a California-based nonprofit organization focused on providing nutrition education through a trauma informed lens.

UK Nutrition Education Program (NEP) staff and staff from Leah’s Pantry had several collaborative meetings to discuss the specific needs of NEP in Kentucky, after which, Leah’s Pantry staff created the course “Creating Nutrition Messages with a Trauma-Informed Approach” for Kentucky NEP staff. Participants first completed an online, self-paced module to introduce them to the concepts and topics that would be covered at the annual NEP state meeting held in May 2023. The in-person training session focused on the application of these strategies into nutrition education programming.

Eighty staff members received certificates for their completion of the course. From the course evaluation:

- 90% of participants reported the course taught them new concepts, ideas, and strategies

- 94% of participants reported that they would be able to apply the information learned in their work

Trauma informed work is an emerging area of practice that has great implications for community education. Follow-up sessions are currently being facilitated with staff to assess the next steps for integrating these principles into NEP’s work. These initial training sessions served as a great starting point for introducing a trauma informed approach to nutrition education in Kentucky.

*Miller AL, Dawson L, Welker E. Early Life Stress and Childhood Obesity Risk. Durham, NC: Healthy Eating Research; 2017. Available at: http://www.healthyeatingresearch.org.