AHS Highlights from the 2024 SNEB Conference

The 2024 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) Annual Conference was recently held in Knoxville and was a center for innovative ideas and practical solutions in the realm of nutrition and public health. The conference was attended by our dedicated faculty and staff members, including Virginia Stage, Basheerah Enahora, Jocelyn Dixon, Ryan Lundquist, Lisa Benavente, Megan Halbohm, and Paula Norris, which highlighted their commitment to advancing nutrition education and research.

Our team made a notable impact with their diverse presentations and sessions, which are listed below. It was also announced that our Preschool Education in Applied Sciences (PEAS) team received the Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior’s Best GEM Article Award. This award, which recognizes outstanding educational materials in nutrition education, underscores the quality and impact of their research. The award-winning article can be accessed here, highlighting the team’s dedication to advancing the field through high-quality educational resources.

In addition to her presentation, Enahora, who will soon take on the role of Chair for the DigiTech Division, facilitated the division meeting, further showcasing her leadership and commitment to advancing digital technologies in nutrition education.

Sessions Presented Included:

Virginia Stage

“Using Implementation Science in Early Childhood Nutrition to Close the Gap Between Research and Practice”: This session addressed how implementation science can bridge the gap between research findings and practical applications in early childhood nutrition. The discussion was highly relevant for professionals seeking to translate research into actionable strategies.

“Examination of the Use of the Veggie Meter in Studies of Foodways and Public Health Nutrition”: This session explored the role of the Veggie Meter in evaluating dietary practices and its implications for public health nutrition.

“Enhancing Nutrition Education Engagement Among Parents of Young Children from Low-Income Households”: This presentation focused on strategies to improve engagement in nutrition education among underserved populations, a critical area for advancing equity in health.

Basheerah Enahora

“Mobile Application Design and Implementation for the Good Bowls Nutrition Study.” This session focused on insights into the development and deployment of mobile applications aimed at improving nutrition education demonstrated the intersection of technology and health promotion.

Poster Presentations

“More PEAS Please! Evaluating the Impact of Food-Based Learning on Dietary Quality, Science, and Language Among Preschoolers“: Presented by Jocelyn Dixon, this poster highlighted the positive outcomes of integrating food-based learning into early childhood education. The study, involving a collaboration of several team members, received praise for its innovative approach to improving dietary quality and educational outcomes.

“Developing Educational Whiteboard Videos on Integrating Food Into Science Learning in Head Start”: Ryan Lundquist presented this poster, showcasing the development of engaging educational videos designed to integrate food into science curricula for Head Start programs. The use of whiteboard videos as a teaching tool demonstrated an effective method for enhancing science learning among young children.

Overall, the 2024 SNEB Annual Conference was a great success, with our team making valuable contributions to nutrition education and behavior. Their work reflects their ongoing commitment to advancing public health through research and education.