NZ Dietitian Wins Award for Nutrition of Kiwis in Aged Care

23 September 2013

NZ Dietitian Wins Award to Improve Nutrition of Kiwis in Aged Care

Jessica Bowden, a dietitian working in aged care has won a prestigious award to improve the nutrition of elderly residents in aged care facilities nationally.

As this year’s recipient of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation & Kellogg New Zealand Nutritionist Development Award she will use the $5,000 grant to develop professionally designed nutrition resources. These will be made freely available to everyone working in the aged care sector.

For the past two years, Jessica has been employed by Oceania, New Zealand’s largest aged-care provider. A new graduate in 2011, she was offered full time employment after successfully completing a short-term project for Oceania. She has proved her worth as the only dedicated skilled dietitian employed by a national aged care company. Jessica’s current work involves taking up further education and learning opportunities and improving the quality of residential food service and clinical nutrition in what was a fragmented service.

Now Jessica Bowden wants everyone working in the aged care sector to benefit from what she has learned. “In my job I have noticed a disparity between the nutritional needs of aged-care residents and the importance staff place on nutrition,” says Jessica. “I want to use my knowledge and skills to improve nutrition outcomes for all New Zealanders in residential care settings.”

Sue Pollard, CEO of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation, is pleased to make this award for an initiative that will improve the nutrition of aged-care residents. “New Zealand has an ageing population so the nutrition of older people is of increasing importance. The nutrition needs of this group are quite different from younger age groups and often misunderstood. Jessica’s initiative will enable all those working in aged care to have easy access to nutrition information designed specifically for their clients,” she says.

Julian Ng, Marketing Manager, Kellogg New Zealand says the company recognises and supports the emerging talent of dietitians and nutritionists embarking on a career in nutrition. “Jessica is clearly a highly innovative and dedicated dietitian. Kellogg’s is delighted to reward her pioneering approach in the field of nutrition and assist her goal of improving the well-being of older New Zealanders,” says Ng.

Kellogg’s has been a long term supporter of the NZ Nutritionist Development Award, which was first established in 1995 to promote professional development for nutrition professionals working in New Zealand.

About Kellogg’s®
Kellogg’s is a leading producer of breakfast cereals and a leading producer of grainbased snack foods. Kellogg’s® cereal has been part of Kiwi breakfasts since 1929 and has established a strong presence with brands like Nutri-Grain®, Coco Pops®, Sultana Bran, Special K®, Just Right®, Corn Flakes and Rice Bubbles® to name a few.

Today, Kellogg’s continues to provide a wide variety of breakfast cereals and snacks to meet people’s needs for nutrition, taste and convenience. Kellogg’s® New Zealand also works closely with the community on a number of sponsorships and projects.

For more information, visit the Kellogg’s New Zealand & Australia site at: www.kellogg.co.nz

About New Zealand Nutrition Foundation
Established in the 1980s, the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation is a professional, nonprofit organisation that believes all New Zealanders should have access to accurate information enabling them to make informed choices about food and the effect it has on their health.

The Foundation works proactively on nutrition issues with Government and its agencies, the food industry, health promotion groups, schools, the public and media. It supports nutrition campaigns promoting wellresearched nutrition messages and education programmes in identified areas of need. An independent Scientific Advisory Group ensures the Foundation’s academic excellence.

For more information visit the Foundation’s website at: www.nutritionfoundation.org.nz

ENDS

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