Nutrition-Mental Health Survey 2026
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Trauma-Informed Nutrition (Adult Population)

The CNP Trauma Informed Nutrition Research Category consolidates research exploring how trauma—including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and other forms of adversity—profoundly shapes biology, psychology, and behavior and applies this understanding to the realms of food choice, eating habits, body awareness, and overall health outcome. This encompasses research on the impacts of trauma on food choice, dietary patterns, chronic illness, and interventions. CNP's Culinary Nutrition research coordinator is Stefanie Sacks, MS, CNS, CDN.
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FEATURED CNP RESEARCH SUMMARY

Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Nutrition Curriculum for Women With Children Living in Transitional Housing

This study details the implementation of a 6-week nutrition and culinary education curriculum, titled 'Around the Table: Nourishing Families,' at a transitional housing facility for single mothers in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The curriculum was delivered through a novel, trauma-informed approach, emphasizing small-group discussions and hands-on culinary activities. Methods involved dividing participants into three cohorts (n = 15) over two years, highlighting topics such as toxic stress, food as nourishment, and family resilience. The evaluation employed a pre-post design, measuring participation, attrition, food skills, dietary intake, emotional well-being, and indicators of nutrition self-care. Results indicated a significant improvement in food skills post-curriculum (p = 0.026), alongside enhancements in dietary intake, mindful eating practices, nutrition self-care, and the incorporation of healthy foods during family meals. In conclusion, this study suggests that hands-on, participatory nutrition and cooking education, which fosters mind-body connections to food, is a viable strategy for imparting essential food skills and promoting socioemotional healing among single mothers in transitional housing. [NPID: Nutrition education, trauma-informed, food skills, intervention, cooking education]

RESEARCH SUMMARIES