title: A service learning program in providing nutrition education to children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement a service learning program in nutrition and assess its impact on pharmacy students' communication skills and professionalism and elementary school children's knowledge of nutrition concepts.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year pharmacy students completed 4 nutrition education sessions led by a registered dietitian and then presented the material to pre-selected classes of at-risk elementary school children in kindergarten through third grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-six pharmacy students completed the pre- and post-experience survey and more than 90% rated achievement of course objectives as strongly agree or agree. Four hundred sixty-eight elementary students completed a pre- and posttest on nutrition knowledge. Significant improvement was found in all grade levels on the knowledge test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This service learning experience was beneficial for the elementary school children and pharmacy students, enhancing the knowledge of both groups and establishing a positive relationship between the pharmacy school and the community.
authors.affiliation: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, USA. rfalter@su.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Falter
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pignotti-Dumas
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Popish
authors.forename: Heather M W
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Best
authors.forename: Julie J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy