Bright Futures in Practice:
Nutrition
“New Morbidities”of the
21st Century
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Changing family structures
Highly mobile populations
Lack of access to health care
Health disparities
Deteriorating neighborhoods and communities
Intentional and unintentional injuries, substance
abuse, depression, and HIV infection
Bright Futures Sponsors
Every Child Deserves
a Bright Future!
The Mission of Bright Futures
To promote and improve the health and
well-being of infants, children, adolescents,
families, and communities. Bright Futures is
dedicated to developing educational materials
for health professionals and families;
implementing Bright Futures content, philosophy,
and materials; and fostering partnerships and
collaboration.
Bright Futures
An Organized Structure for
Health Supervision
Bright Futures provides a framework to address the
current and emerging health needs of infants,
children, adolescents, and their families.
Bright Futures Guidelines
Cornerstone Document
Families Matter!
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Families as partners
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Families as caregivers
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Families as teachers
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Families as resources
Fluoridation
Immunizations
Health Promotion/Prevention
Works!
Bike Helmets
Back to Sleep
Partnerships Make a Difference
 Health professionals
 Families
 Child care professionals
 Social service
professionals
 Schools
 Local and state
government
 Community groups
 Business/industry
 Faith communities
 Payers
Bright Futures in Practice Series
 Oral Health
 Nutrition
 Physical Activity
 Mental Health
Bright Futures in Practice:
Nutrition
 Advances in Nutrition
 Optimal nutrition is important for sustenance, good
health, and well-being
 Diet and health is important for disease prevention
 Lifelong eating behaviors often established in early
childhood
Emphasis of Bright Futures in
Practice: Nutrition
 Developmental approach
 Contextual approach
 Partnerships among health
professionals, families, and
communities
Vision and Goals of Bright
Futures in Practice: Nutrition
 Improve the nutrition status of infants, children, and
adolescents
 Encourage partnerships among health
professionals, families, and communities
 Educate health professionals, families, and
communities about nutrition
Organizations That Support
Bright Futures in Practice:
Nutrition
 American Academy of Pediatrics
 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
 American Dietetic Association
 American Medical Association
 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and
Practitioners
 American School Health Association
 American Public Health Association
and many more…
How the Guide is Organized
 Introduction
 Nutrition Supervision Guidelines
 Nutrition Issues and Concerns
 Nutrition Tools
Introduction
 Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
 Nutrition in the Community
 Cultural Awareness in Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition
Supervision Guidelines
Major Stages
• Infancy
0-11 Months
• Middle Childhood
5-10 Years
• Early Childhood
1-4 Years
• Adolescence
11-21 Years
Nutrition
Supervision Guidelines
Chapter Highlights
 Growth and physical, social,
and emotional development
 Common nutrition concerns
 Nutrition supervision
 Desired outcomes
 Frequently asked questions
Nutrition
Issues and Concerns
 Breastfeeding
 Children and adolescents with special health
care needs
 Nutrition and sports
 Vegetarian eating
 Obesity
 Pediatric undernutrition
Nutrition Tools
 Nutrition questionnaires
 Key indicators of nutrition risk
 Tips for promoting food safety
 Tips for fostering a positive
body image
 Federal food assistance and nutrition programs
How the Guide Can Be Used
 Clinical
 Community
 Policy
 Education and Training
How the Guide Can Be Used:
Clinical
 Incorporate into each nutrition supervision
visit
 Incorporate into each health supervision visit
 Develop nutrition programs and services
 Develop standards of practice and protocol
 Educate and train health professionals
How the Guide Can Be Used:
Community
 Serve as a resource to provide anticipatory guidance
to families on healthy eating practices
 Develop nutrition education programs and services
 Help schools develop health curricula
 Develop standards of practice and protocol
How the Guide Can Be Used:
Policy
 Obtain support for nutrition policies and programs
 Provide information on relevant nutrition issues and
concerns
How the Guide Can Be Used:
Education and Training
 Educate and train health professionals
 Educate and train paraprofessionals
 Provide in-service education and training to staff
 Use as a textbook or reference
Bright Futures Web Site
www.brightfutures.org
• Resources for health
professionals and families
• View, download and order
publications
Bright Notes
To find out more about Bright
Futures, contact:
Bright Futures Project
National Center for Education in Maternal and
Child Health
Georgetown University
2000 15th Street, North, Suite 701
Arlington, VA 22201-2617
Tel: (703) 524-7802
Fax: (703) 524-9335
E-mail: BrightFutures@ncemch.org