This document describes a nutrition education program developed for nurses at the Mount St. John Medical Center in Antigua and Barbuda. 71% of nurses at the hospital were overweight or obese. The program aimed to increase healthy behaviors among nurses through seminars on nutrition and exercise. Seminars included presentations, activities, and goal setting. Evaluations found that most nurses committed to walking, diet changes like reducing fast food, and goals like exercise and water intake. While some objectives were not fully met, feedback will help improve future wellness programs for staff.

1. Samantha A. Moitt R.D.
Community Nutrition
Fall 2014

2. Background
Program Goal and Objectives
Proposed Intervention
Design of the Nutrition Education Program
Marketing Plan
Evaluation Results
Outcomes
Challenges
Improvements

3. Obesity is a major problem in Antigua &
Barbuda
60% of adults screened nationally are
either overweight/obese1
71% of Nurses at Mount St. John Medical
Center (MSJMC) are either
overweight/obese
Contributors include stress, shift work,
high cost of fruits and vegetables2

4. There are no
wellness programs at
the hospital
Nurses indicated that
they would like help
in managing their
weight

5. 35 nurses were surveyed
71% were not happy with their weight
70.5% are trying to lose weight
54.2% are overweight
17% are obese
Only 2 persons got the recommended
amount of activity

6. The Health Belief Model3
 Change in behavior
 Use of a role model
 Self efficacy

7.  Increase healthy behavior among nurses
through education on lifestyle changes
specifically healthy eating and exercise

8.  75% of nurses would indicate a physical activity
that they can do in the upcoming week.
 75% of nurses would indicate 2 changes they can
make to their diets within the upcoming week
 By the end of the seminar 95% of nurses are to
identify 3 behavioral goals that they wish to
achieve in 6 months

9. Seminar
 1 hour lunch seminar
 Follow up 30 minutes session
Location
 MSJMC auditorium
Target Audience
 50 nurses employed at MSJMC who are
interested in developing healthy habits

10. On the Road to Good Health

11. Product
 Seminar
 Multiple Speakers
 Lunch
 Goal Sheets
 Handouts on exercise
and healthy eating
Place
 MSJMC auditorium
 Nursing Office
 Education Department
Price
 Free to nurses
 Lunch provided

12. TOOL WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4
Flyers x x x X
Email x X
Dept meetings X
Overhead
announcement
x

13. Welcome and Introduction
 Presentation by nutritionist
 Goal, Objectives and Community Findings
Where do the Calories Come From?
 Presentation by dietitian
 Handouts on Food Based Dietary Guidelines,
Healthy snacks
 Evaluation-What 2 changes do you plan to
make to your diet within the next week?

15. Moving on your Own Time
 Presentation by group fitness trainer
 Fitting activity into your busy schedule
 5 minute aerobics session
 Evaluation - What activity can you commit to
doing within the upcoming week?
Ends with Lunch

18. If I can you can too!
 Presentation by role model nurse
Keeping Tabs
 Social worker to discuss goal setting and
support systems
 Evaluation – Identify 3 behavioural goals you
would like to accomplish within 6 months
Wrap up

19. Did the program improve self efficacy?
Was the support information provided
helpful?

20. What effect did the seminar have on your long term health goals?
What activity can you commit to doing within the upcoming week
What 2 changes do you plan to make to your diet within the next
week?
What 3 behavioral goals did you identify to accomplish within 6
months?
Do you plan on contacting any of the support professionals for
further help?
Do you have any suggestions for improving the seminar in the
future?
If we were to offer other Lunch and Learn Seminars, do you think
you would attend? Please feel free to provide suggested topics.

21. QUESTION
What activity can you
commit to doing within
the upcoming week?
RESULTS
Walking 70%
Counting steps (using
the app) 21%
Going to the gym 9%

22. QUESTION
What 2 changes do you
plan to make to your diet
within the next week?
RESULTS
Cutting down on fast
food
Drinking more water
Cutting out bread
Decreasing starch intake
Increasing vegetable
intake
Eating more fruits
Decreasing portion sizes

23. QUESTION
What 3 behavioral goals
did you identify to
accomplish within 6
months?
RESULTS
Increasing exercise
Drinking more water
Using more vegetables
Snacking on fruits
Using less fast food

24. Support persons contacted after seminar
 Nutritionists and Dietitians of Antigua &
Barbuda
 Nurses identified as role models
 Social worker

25. Only 50% of nurses were able to return for
the follow up seminar
The second session ran over by 15
minutes
Was not able to meet the goal setting
objective of 95%

26. 1. Increase staff participation
2. Work with marketing department to
develop an ongoing wellness program
3. Collaborate with the education
department to offer regular activities

27. 1. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
(2012). Antigua and Barbuda Food and Nutrition
Security Policy. (PDF document). St. John’s,
Antigua.
2. Antunes, L. Levandovski, R. Dantas, G. Caumo,
W. Hidalgo, M. (2010). Obesity and shift work:
chronobiological aspects. Nutrition Research
Reviews, Volume 23,155-168.
doi:10.1017/S0954422410000016
3. Boyle,M. Holben, D. (2013).Community Nutrition
in Action An Entrepreneurial Approach.
California, United States: Wadsworth Cenage
Learning.