Nexus Innovation Network

Using a transdisciplinary team of experts in childhood obesity, students will be introduced to the interrelationship of topics presented in the Social Ecological Model (SEM) for Nutrition and Physical Activity Decisions.

Member since:  June 2015

Intervention: Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) 

Partners:

• South Dakota State University (SDSU)
• South Dakota State University Extension, Food & Families Program
• University of South Dakota (USD)

Occupations represented: Nutrition, dietetics, exercise science, early childhood education,   journalism, nursing, public health, biostatistics, and counseling.

Overview: SDSU created a nine credit graduate certificate in Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP).  Students from all disciplines with an interest in childhood obesity prevention can earn the certificate as part of their elective credits while working towards a graduate degree in their respective disciplines.  The learning environments for TOP include collaborative, transdisciplinary team learning via coursework and experiential learning experiences in childhood obesity prevention through community outreach with SDSU Extension.   Graduates take seven core credits that were created specifically for the TOP program (Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention I, 3 credits; Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention II, 3 credits; and Practicum: Experiential Learning Experiences in Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention, 1 credit) and two elective credits with approved student learning objectives consistent with the goals and objectives of the TOP certificate. Using a transdisciplinary team of experts in childhood obesity, students are introduced to the interrelationship of topics presented in the Social Ecological Model (SEM) for Nutrition and Physical Activity Decisions.  Students are also introduced to the Evidence Based Public Health Framework, The Social Determinants of Health, Community Based Participatory Research, Grant Writing, and Dissemination of Research to the Scientific and General Public Communities.  An emphasis will be placed on student interdisciplinary teamwork to address the transdisciplinary issues surrounding childhood obesity prevention. The practicum course enables students to apply course concepts in community settings and gain experience working collaboratively with a multitude of disciplines on childhood obesity prevention initiatives. 

This project focuses on changes among graduate students regarding attitudes and skills that impact their capabilities for addressing population health. Surveys and other assessment tools are used to assess changes over time.

Intervention study question:

• In a population of graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program, what is the effect of collaborative learning on changes in personal and professional perceptions and attitudes in communication, teamwork, interprofessional education and interactions over the course of two academic semesters?

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2011-67002-30202.