A youth-driven “Kids' Nutrigenomics” outreach education project

Nutritional genomics is the study of how different foods may interact with specific genes to increase the risk of common chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. This project is an informal, web-enabled education learning module to be incorporated as a freestanding module in children's health museums and on-line. The two main objectives are (1) to increase young people's knowledge of the interaction between genes and dietary components and (2) to increase young people's critical thinking skills. The target audience is youth, ages 8 – 13. The project involved youth in all aspects of development and evaluation. University undergraduates provided service learning to high school students who assisted in the module development and earned extra credit in a biology class. High school students did the voiceovers in a sound studio at a youth center. Middle school youth previewed and provided input on the modules throughout the development. The module uses animated illustrations and music to introduce nutritional genomics, introductory DNA concepts, and examples of the tenets illustrating gene-diet interaction through vignettes on diabetes and heterocylic amines. The module was displayed at a community health-education museum and science center dedicated to promoting wellness. Evaluation of the module consisted of observations, survey responses and knowledge-based pre- and post-tests. This informal education module enables youth to learn biological concepts and use them to gain understanding of nutrigenomics.