How Nurses and Engineers May Contribute to Improved Global Nutrition

Saturday, 7 November 2015

Daniel Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE
Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
Sarah E. Oerther, MSN, MEd, BSN, RN
St. Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA

Despite the efforts of the United States and other nations, more than 800 million people remained food insecure in 2014.  Within the United States, more than 50 million people reported food insecurity at some point in 2014, defined as unable to provide adequate food for one or more of its members, due to lack of resources.  This presentation will highlight collaborative efforts by the presenters to develop local nutrition interventions based upon evidence-based approaches using a conceptual framework that takes into account global development goals.  In particular, the recently completed negotiations that were part of the Second International Conference on Nutrition will be highlighted as well as the recently released, inaugural Global Nutrition Report.  Important partnerships with awareness raising advocacy campaigns such as the 1,000 Days Partnership as well as the value of country-led plans that are part of the Scaling Up Nutrition Network will be described.  With case studies of local community gardens, international school lunch programs, and global, intergovernmental negotiations, this presentation will provide a framework for nurses to engage their local communities with evidence based practice to improve nutrition through effective interventions.