Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association

CONTENTS
1	Cultural Competence for the Pediatric Dietitian Beth Ogata, MS, RD, CD Cultural competence. cultural sensitivity. cultural awareness. These terms are increasingly common in guidelines and recommendations for practitioners with clinical, community, research, management, and other perspectives. What do they mean? Do they matter for pediatric nutrition practitioners? (Yes!) Why are they important? How can they be incorporated into daily practice?
8	Promoting Cultural and Linguistic Competence PNPG A self-assessment checklist for personnel providing services and supports to children with disabilities and special health needs and their families
10	From the Editor Paula Charuhas Macris, MS, RD, FADA, CNSD "Culture" can be defined as all the behaviors, ways of life, arts, beliefs, and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation (1).
11	Cultural Competence in Dietetics Jana Kicklighter, PhD, RD While America was once viewed as a melting pot, where all ethnic groups were expected to assimilate into the United States majority culture, it has more recently been described as a salad bowl (1,2). We are not one culture; we are many different cultures loosely held together but maintaining our unique cultural identities, similar to distinct ingredients in a tossed salad held together by the dressing (1).
13	Asian Languages Pamphlets Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP), USDA. The risk of obesity among Asian-American children increases the longer they are in the United States. Agencies and health organizations serving this population have expressed the need for educational materials focused on helping children achieve healthy weights.
14	Online Resource Lists and Clearinghouses PNPG Various online resources.
16	Cultural Competence Shiva Bidar-Sielaff In a multicultural society such as the United States, each cultural group constantly experiences modifications and mixtures that make it different from the cultural group of origin. Being culturally competent is taking into account the patient.s cultural, spiritual, social, emotional, and psychological issues to provide patient-centered care. Some barriers that may hinder culturally competent patient care are stereotyping and failing to overcome the language barrier when working with limited English-speaking patients.
17	Religious Considerations in Pediatric Nutrition http://www.faqs.org Just as cultural food habits can affect a child.s health, religious food laws may also influence a child.s nutritional status. The following table provides an overview of common religious food practices that the registered dietitian can use when working with children and families who follow special dietary practices pertinent to their religions .

The BUILDING BLOCK FOR LIFE is published quarterly by the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group (PNPG), a dietetic practice group of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.

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