Seniors in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics in TCU’s Department of Nutritional Sciences put their dietary dexterity into action this year through a community outreach program with Lockheed Martin employees.

During the semester-long internship, students conducted research and provided weekly services to patrons of the Lockheed Martin Recreational Association in Fort Worth. Services included dietary analysis and nutritional assessments, articles in the LMRA monthly newsletter, dietary-related Q&As in a weekly “Ask-a-Student Dietitian” section of the LMRA e-newsletter, and on-site information on healthy eating habits. The students also launched six-week “Weigh To Go” nutrition and wellness classes both at the recreation center and Lockheed Martin plant sites.

“This has proved to be a rewarding relationship for both my students and LMRA employees — an outstanding opportunity for students to contribute and to know that what they are doing is making a difference in the community,” said TCU nutritional sciences Professor Lyn Dart, noting that plans are already in the works to continue the community-campus partnership for future semesters.

Students in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics must apply for selection into the two-year internship, which also enjoys longtime ties with the Birdville ISD, Tarrant Area Food Bank and Senior Citizen Services.

“I’ve definitely been able to apply everything I’ve learned in the coordinated program during these last couple of years,” said Mary Grinnan, a senior nutrition major who worked on the Lockheed Martin program this spring. “We have wellness classes and nutrition education classes. So by getting up in front of these people and talking to them about how nutrition and diet contribute to overall wellness, I’ve also benefited by being able to practice what I’ve learned.”

Through their one-on-one consultations, the students address questions ranging from bodybuilder myths to weight loss solutions to how to mesh healthy eating patterns with the schedule of a high-stress job. “We get a variety of questions, so it’s neat that we’re able to use all the nutrition knowledge we have to answer questions and help them out,” Grinnan said.