ncrc nutrition

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Emily Ford
Salisbury PostKANNAPOLIS ó Free nutrition classes at the N.C. Research Campus will take you far beyond the food pyramid.
But you won’t need a Ph.D. to comprehend it all.
“This is important information that you may not be able to get anyplace else,” said Beverly Jordan, community affairs director for the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis. “But it’s not so high-level that people can’t relate.”
This is the first opportunity for the public to learn firsthand from world-class scientists in Kannapolis.
The Nutrition Research Institute will host a five-week series of classes that offers more than just the four basic food groups.
Leading experts in nutrition, including Dr. Steve Zeisel, will present their cutting-edge research in an understandable way, Jordan promised. She’s using some clever course titles to attract up to 100 people for each class.
“Are you a couch potato raising tater tots?” This session will investigate how parents’ behavior influences their kids.
“Are your genes the reason your jeans don’t fit?” This one will explore the link between genetics and obesity.
The series, called Frontiers in Nutrition, is part of a larger community outreach effort to translate groundbreaking scientific research into programs and seminars that will help people eat healthier and even change their lives.
The classes are open to the public, but registration is required.
Participants will hear advanced nutritional information from professors at the renowned School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including Zeisel, who also directs the Nutrition Research Institute at Kannapolis.
“These talented and accomplished professors will be taking high-level concepts down to the everyday world,” Jordan said. “They have a commitment to make it interesting.”
The 90-minute classes will run on five consecutive Tuesday evenings starting Feb. 26 in Cannon Village. Participants will have a chance to ask questions and meet the professors.
The series is part of the Appetite for Life Academy, which also will include a cooking school in the fall.
Culinary Lessons for Health will feature local gourmet chefs teaching participants how to cook healthy meals without compromising taste.
Each cooking class will end with students sharing the meal they prepared and taking home recipes.
Every year, the Nutrition Research Institute will reach out to Cabarrus and Rowan county residents through the Appetite for Life Academy, Jordan said. The goal is to help people gain insight into their individual nutritional needs and learn more about metabolism and nutrient requirements.
Eventually, the classes will feature the institute’s own faculty presenting the results of their research projects conducted in Kannapolis.
“The research may seem esoteric to the average person, but it really does have an impact on everyday life,” said Jana Harrison, deputy director of the Nutrition Research Institute.
All science research institutes face the challenge of translating what scientists do in the lab into practical information for people on the street, Harrison said.
“In the community we hear a lot about biotech, but many people don’t know that it has real value for their lives,” she said.
This year’s course schedule includes something for everyone who has an interest in nutrition.
– Feb. 26, “You Are What Your Mother Ate,” by Dr. Steve Zeisel.
Investigate the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and learn how our mothers’ food choices set the nutritional precedents that influence us for our entire lives.
– March 4, “Are You a Couch Potato Raising Tater Tots?” by Dr. Dianne Ward.
Without a doubt, parents influence their children’s behavior. Take an in-depth look at how parents influence the nutrition and physical activity levels of their children.
– March 11, “Eating Disorders: Where Genes and Culture Collide” by Dr. Cynthia Bulik.
Culture tells us to be thin, but what do our genes tells us? How do their messages collide with our thin-minded society?
– March 18, “Diet and the Risk of Cancer: How Your Diet Affects Your Health,” by Zeisel.
Gain insights into just how critical diet is to living a long, healthy life and avoiding diseases like cancer.
– March 25 “Are Your Genes the Reason Your Jeans Don’t Fit?” by Dr. Daniel Pomp.
Examine the links between genetics and obesity.
Participants may register for one or more classes. Those who attend the entire series will receive a certificate of completion.
To register now, visit the Nutrition Research Institute at 113 West Ave. in Kannapolis or email Jordan at Beverly_Jordan@unc.edu.
Starting Jan. 15, you may register online at www.uncnri.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available for both the Frontiers in Nutrition classes and the cooking school. Contact Jordan at 704-250-5008 to learn more.
Contact Emily Ford at eford@salisburypost.com.