Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3 Additional Resources 72
References 72
Communication Essentials 46
3.1 Nutrition Counseling Goals 47 4
3.2 Stages of Skill Development 47
Meeting Your Client:
3.3 Model of Communication 48
The Counseling Interview 74
3.4 Cultural Influence on Communication 48
3.5 Guidelines for Enhancing Counseling 4.1 Nutrition Counseling Models 75
Communication Effectiveness 48 4.2 Nutrition Counseling
Use Focuses and Intents When Motivational Algorithm 75
Formulating Responses 51 4.3 Assessing Readiness 77
Use Effective Nonverbal Behavior 52 4.4 Nutrition Counseling Protocols:
Harmonize Verbal and Nonverbal Analysis and Flow of a Counseling
Behaviors53 Interview and Counseling Session 79
Analyze Nonverbal Behavior of Your Client 54 4.5 Involving Phase 80
Communication Roadblocks 54 Greeting80
3.6 Empathy 55 Establish Comfort 80
3.7 Basic Counseling Responses 56 Small Talk 80
Attending (Active Listening) 57 Opening—First Session 80
Reflection (Empathizing) 58 Opening—Subsequent Sessions 81
Steps in Reflecting 59 Identifying Client’s Long-Term Behavior
Change Objectives (General Goals) 81
Legitimation (Normalization) 61
Explain Program and Counseling
Affirmation (Respect) 61
Process—First Session 81
Personal Support 61
Discuss Weight Monitoring, if
Partnership 62 Appropriate—First Session 82
Mirroring (Parroting, Echoing) 62 Setting the Agenda—First Session 82
Paraphrasing (Summarizing) 62 Setting the Agenda—Subsequent
Giving Feedback (Immediacy) 63 Sessions82
Questioning 63 Transitioning to the Next Phase 82
Useful Questions 64 4.6 Exploration–Education Phase 82
Problematic Questions 64 Educational Activities 83
Clarifying (Probing, Prompting) 64 Assessment—First Session 83
Noting a Discrepancy (Confrontation, Assessments—Subsequent Sessions 83
Challenging)65 Giving Nonjudgmental Feedback 84
Directing (Instructions) 65 Eliciting Client Thoughts About the
Advice 66 Comparison of the Assessment to
Allowing Silence 66 the Standard 85
Self-Referent (Self-Disclosing and Determining What’s Next 85
Self-Involving)67 Assessing Readiness to Make a Change 85
case study Communication Analysis 4.7 Resolving Phase 85
of John’s Interactions 68 4.8 Level 1: Not Ready to Change
Key Terms 71 (Precontemplative) 86
Review Questions 71 Raise Awareness of the Health Problem
Assignment—Observation and Analysis of a and Diet Options 87
Television Interview 71 Personalize Benefits 87
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Contents vii
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viii Contents
6
Promoting Change to Facilitate 7
Self-Management 130 Making Behavior Change Last 156
6.1 Strategies To Promote Change 131 7.1 Social Network 157
6.2 Food Management Tools 131 Social Support 157
Meal Replacements 132 Social Disclosure 159
Detailed Menus and Meal Plans 132 Social Pressures 159
Food Lists for Weight Management 132 7.2 Stress Management 160
MyPlate or Dash Food Plan 132 Stress Management Counseling 162
Goal Setting 133 7.3 Sleep Counseling 164
6.3 Tracking 133 7.4 Mindful Eating 166
Journaling133 7.5 Relapse Prevention 167
Journaling Alternatives 134 Immediate Determinants 167
6.4 Behavior Change Strategies 135 Covert Antecedents 169
Behavior Chain 135 Relapse Prevention Counseling 169
Cue Management (Stimulus Control) 136 7.6 Ending the Counseling Relationship 171
Countering136 Preparation for a Conclusion 171
Reinforcement: Rewards 138 Final Session 171
Contracting139 Handling Abrupt Endings 172
Encouragement140 7.7 Counseling Evaluation 172
Goal Setting 140 Evaluation of Client Progress 172
Modeling140 Goal Attainment Scale 173
Problem Solving 140 Final Client Evaluation 173
6.5 Cognitive Restructuring 141 7.8 Evaluation of Counseling
6.6 Education During Counseling 145 Effectiveness and Skills 173
Effective Education Strategies 145 Client Evaluation of Counselor 173
Effective Education Language 148 Assessing Client’s Nonverbal Behavior 173
Positive or Negative Approach 148 Checking173
6.7 Supporting Self-Management 149 Counseling Checklists (Interview Guides)173
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Contents ix
8
Physical Activity 178 9
Communication with Diverse
8.1 Physical Activity Initiatives 179
Population Groups 203
8.2 Role of Nutrition Counselor in
Physical Activity Guidance 179 9.1 Need for Cultural Competence 204
8.3 Physical Activity and Fitness 181 9.2 Demographics—Population Trends 204
Benefits of Regular Physical Activity 181 9.3 Increased Use of Traditional Therapies 204
Injury Risks Associated with Exercise 182 Health Disparities 205
Exercise Myths 183 Underrepresentation of Culturally
8.4 Physical Activity Goals 183 and Linguistically Diverse Health
Care Providers 208
8.5 Levels of Aerobic Physical Activity 184
Legislative, Regulatory, and
Moderate Physical Activity 184
Accreditation Requirements 208
Vigorous Physical Activity 184
9.4 Cultural Competence Models 208
Methods to Determine Level of
Cultural Competence Continuum 209
Exertion185
Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural
Muscular Strength 185
Competence in the Delivery of Health
Flexibility186 Care Services 209
8.6 Barriers to Becoming Physically Development of Cultural Self-Awareness 209
Active 187
Development of Cultural Knowledge 210
8.7 Physical Activity Counseling
Development of Cultural Skills 211
Protocols 187
9.5 Guidelines for Delivering Cross
8.8 Assessments of Physical Activity 187
Cultural Interviews and Interventions 214
Physical Activity Status 187
The LEARN Guideline 214
Current Exercise Status 187
The 4 Cs of Culture Guideline 215
Physical Activity Readiness 187
9.6 Cross-Cultural Nutrition Counseling
Stages of Readiness to Change 189 Algorithm 215
Assessment Feedback 189 9.7 Working with Interpreters 215
8.9 Resolving Phase Protocols 190 9.8 Life Span Communication
Level 1—Not Ready to Change 190 and Intervention Essentials 218
Level 2—Unsure About Changing 192 Preschool-Aged Children (2 to 5 Years) 218
Level 3—Ready to Change 193 Intervention Strategies 218
Level 4—Physically Active 194 Middle Childhood (6 to 12 Years) 219
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x Contents
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Contents xi
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xii Contents
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Preface
Welcome to the Fourth Edition for documenting their own reflections. Instructors
can assign journal entries and collect them for eval-
The fourth edition of this book continues to provide a uation. Reading journal entries allows instructors
step-by-step approach guiding entry-level practitioners to gain understanding of how students are grasping
through the basic components of changing food behav- concepts. Each chapter has a culminating assign-
ior and improving nutritional status. Behavior change is ment and a case study that integrates all or most of
a complex process, and there is an array of strategies to the major topics covered throughout the chapter.
influence client knowledge, skills, and attitudes. To be ef- ●● Evidence-based: Science-based approaches,
fective change agents, nutrition professionals need a solid grounded in behavior change models and theories,
foundation of counseling and education principles, op- found to be effective for educational and counsel-
portunities to practice new skills, and knowledge of eval- ing interventions, are analyzed and integrated into
uation methodologies. This book meets all of these needs skill development exercises.
in an organized, accessible, and engaging approach. ●● Nutrition Counseling Motivational Algorithm: To
guide the process of integrating counseling theo-
Intended Audience ries and approaches, a motivational algorithm
is presented leaning heavily on Client-Centered
This book was developed to meet the needs of health Counseling, Motivational Interviewing, and the
professionals who have little or no previous counsel- Transtheoretical Model. The algorithm provides
ing or education experiences, but who do have a solid a framework for nutrition counseling students to
knowledge of the disciplines of food and nutrition. Al- visualize implementation of a counseling session.
though the book addresses the requirements of nutrition
professionals seeking to become registered dietitians, the
●● Cultural sensitivity: The population of the United
approach focuses on skill development useful to all pro- States is increasingly heterogeneous, moving toward a
fessionals who need to develop nutrition counseling and plurality of ethnic, religious, and regional groups. To
education skills. The goal of the book is to enable entry- have effective interventions, nutrition counselors and
level practitioners to learn and use fundamental skills educators need to appreciate the influence of how
universal to counseling and education as a springboard membership in these diverse groups greatly influences
on which to build and modify individual styles. our health beliefs, behaviors, and food practices.
Although a chapter is devoted to exploring diverse
Distinguishing Features cultural groups, cultural influences regarding behavior
and attitudes are integrated throughout the book.
●● Practical examples: Concrete examples, case stud- ●● Putting it all together—a four-week guided nutri-
ies, and first-person accounts are presented repre- tion counseling program: The text includes a step-
senting a variety of wellness, private practice, and by-step guide for students working with volunteer
institutional settings. adult clients during four sessions. The objective of
this section is to demonstrate how the theoretical
●● Action based: Exercises are integrated into the text
discussions, practice activities, and nutrition tools
to give students ample opportunity and encour-
can be integrated for an effective intervention.
agement to interact with the concepts covered in
each chapter. Instructors can choose to assign the ●● The Nutrition Care Process (NCP): The NCP was de-
activities to be implemented individually at home veloped by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
or used as classroom activities. Students are encour- to provide a framework for nutrition interventions.
aged to journal their responses to the exercises as a This framework is integrated throughout the text
basis for classroom discussions, distance learning, or and highlighted in relevant areas.
xiii
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Acknowlegments
xiv
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About the Authors
xv
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the reviewers and the individuals who for Health and Nutrition, and Courtney Heilman, Prod-
shared their expertise and assisted in the development uct Manager, Health & Nutrition. In addition, we want
of the manuscript. Your insights and comments were to acknowledge the valuable research and editing assis-
invaluable to the fourth edition. We greatly appreciate tance of Lauren Kulik, Montclair State University gradu-
the staff at Cengage Learning for their encouragement ate assistant. We would also like to thank the following
and tireless work shepherding us through the process. A reviewers for their valuable comments as we revised
special thanks to Samantha Rundle, Content Manager this edition.
Reviewers
Kaitlan Beretich Celesta Lyman
Baylor University Southern Utah University
xvi
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About the Authors
Kathleen D. Bauer, PhD, RDN , is the founder Doreen Liou, EdD, RDN , was director of the
and has been the director of the Nutrition Counseling Didactic Program in Dietetics at Montclair State Univer-
Clinic at Montclair State University for more than fif- sity for fourteen years and spearheaded the program into
teen years. She teaches both undergraduate and gradu- its initial accreditation. She teaches both undergraduate
ate nutrition counseling courses. Publications include and graduate courses in nutrition education and social
book chapters and articles on cultural diversity and eval- marketing. Her research interests encompass qualitative
uation of nutrition counseling education methods. Her and quantitative methods in addressing chronic disease
applied individual and group nutrition counseling ex- risk and the applications of social psychological theories
periences extend to faith-based and wellness programs, in minority population groups. Her nutrition education
fitness centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and private experiences extend to a variety of academic, community,
practice. and clinical settings.
xvii
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1 Preparing to Meet
Your Clients
Learning Objectives
1.1 Define nutrition counseling and nutrition
education.
1.2 Identify and explain factors influencing
food choices.
1.3 Describe characteristics of an effective
counselor.
1.4 Identify factors affecting clients in a
counseling relationship.
1.5 Evaluate oneself for strengths and
weaknesses in building a counseling
fizkes/Shutterstock.com
relationship.
1.6 Identify novice counselor issues.
Not only is there an art in knowing something but also a certain art in teaching it.
—CiCero
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2 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
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1.2 Fundamentals of Food Behavior 3
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4 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
year 2060.15 As a result, an array of ethnic foods is options spend a greater share of their food budgets
available in restaurants and grocery stores and at convenience, dollar, and drugstores compared
has influenced the national palate. For example, in with households with easier access.25
the past, ketchup was considered a household ●● Availability and Variety: Individuals with increased
staple; however, recent national sales of salsa now numbers of food encounters, larger portion sizes,
compete with ketchup and at times have surpassed and variety of available choices tend to increase
ketchup sales. food intake.26,27 Variety of food intake is important
●● Social Influences: Food is often an integral part of in meeting nutritional needs, but when the assort-
social experiences. Sharing a meal with friends after ment is excessive, such as making food selections
a football game or going out for ice cream to cel- from a buffet, overconsumption is probable. How-
ebrate an academic achievement helps make special ever, this finding can be useful for those trying to
experiences festive. However, foods associated with increase fruit and vegetable intake. A dinner plate
sociability are often not the most nutritious. Social containing broccoli, carrots, and snap peas was
eating frequently encourages increased consump- shown to increase intake of vegetables more than
tion of less-nutritious foods and overconsump- if the plate contained only one of the items.28
tion. 16,17
Eating with friends increases energy intake ● ● Psychological: Food behavior in response to stress
by 18 percent.18 However, even though regular varies among individuals. Some people increase
family meals have been shown to consumption, whereas others claim
be correlated with positive health Anecdote they are feeling too stressed to eat.
outcomes, an analysis of societal A female college student stated: Certain foods have been associated
trends indicates that family meal “The whole society does not empha- with depression and mood altera-
frequency has declined for middle size eating healthy. When you are tion. Depressed individuals eat
school students, Asians, and eating, you have to think hard about lower amounts of antioxidants,
adolescents. 19 what are the healthy foods to eat.” fruits, and vegetables and consume
●● Media and Physical higher amounts of chocolate (up to
Environment: North Americans are surrounded by 55 percent) than others.29,30
media messages, and most of them are encouraging
An understanding of how all these factors influence
consumption of high-calorie foods that are
our food behaviors is essential for nutrition educators
nutritionally challenged. Food distributors and
and counselors. Since we are advocating lifestyle change
manufacturers spend billions of dollars each year on
of comfortable food patterns, we need to understand
advertising to persuade consumers.20 Commercials
the discomfort that our clients are likely to feel as they
can have powerful influences on the quantity
anticipate and attempt dietary alterations. Our role is to
and quality of food consumed.21 Not only do we
acknowledge the challenge for our clients and to find
encounter food messages repeatedly throughout
and establish new achievable patterns for a healthier
the day, but we also have access to a continuous
lifestyle.
supply of unhealthy food and large portion sizes.
Almost anywhere you go—drug stores, gas stations,
hardware stores, schools, for example—there are Understanding an Effective 1.3
opportunities to purchase unhealthy food. Even
laboratory animals put in this type of environment
Counseling Relationship
are likely to overeat the calorie-dense food and gain No matter what theory or behavior change model is pro-
excessive weight.22 viding the greatest influence, the relationship between
●● Economics: An individual’s residence and counselor and client is the guiding force for change.
socioeconomic status can influence myriad factors,
including accessibility to transportation, cooking
facilities, refrigeration, grocery store options, and Exercise 1.2 Explore Influences of Food Behavior
availability of healthful food choices. For those
Interview three people and ask them to recall the last
who are economically disadvantaged, meeting
meal they consumed. Inquire about the factors that
nutritional guidelines is a challenge.23 Low-income
influenced them to make their selections. Record your
households purchase significantly less fruits and
findings in your journal. Compare your findings to the
vegetables than high-income households.24 Low-
discussion of influences on food choices in this chapter.
income households with limited transportation
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1.3 Understanding an Effective Counseling Relationship 5
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6 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
●● They are optimistic and hopeful. Clients want to ●● They can accurately understand what people
believe that lifestyle changes are possible, and feel from their frame of reference (empathy). It is
they appreciate reassurance that solutions will be important for counselors to be aware of their own
found. struggles and pain to have a frame of reference for
●● They respect, value, care, and trust others. This identifying with others.
enables counselors to show warmth and caring
authentically through nonjudgmental verbal and This list can appear daunting, leading one to won-
nonverbal behavior, listening attentively, and der if becoming an ideal counselor is achievable. How-
behaving responsibly, such as returning phone calls ever, Egan and Reese34 emphasize that there is no right
and showing up on time. This behavior conveys the way of mixing and matching the characteristics to meet
message that clients are valued and respected. client needs. They are a list of characteristics to work
Affirmative answers indicate skills you possess that enhance your ability to relate to others.
Source: Adapted from Scott N, “Success Often Lies in Relating to Other People,” Dallas Morning News, April 20, 1995, p. 14C.
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1.3 Understanding an Effective Counseling Relationship 7
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8 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
Category Assumption
Supernatural Supernatural assumptions include beliefs regarding God, malevolent spirits, ancestors, fate, or
Assumptions luck being the cause of illness. The concept of soul loss causing depression or listlessness is
prevalent in many societies. In order to alleviate supernatural problems, societies have devised
ceremonies or rituals.
Individual and Nature Not all societies make a clear distinction between human life and nature as in the United States.
Some societies believe that we are subjugated by nature and need to show respect for natural
forces and attempt to live in harmony with nature. The dominant culture in the United States
sees human beings as having higher value than nature with a need to exploit or protect it.
Technology The citizens of the United States put great fate in technology and the scientific method.
Diseases are viewed as correctable mechanistic errors that can be fixed by manipulation.
Americans tend to think science can help humanity—a view not as highly held in Europe.
Materialism Many people around the world believe that materialism dominates the worldview of Americans,
that is, the need to acquire the latest and best possessions. This may have contributed to the
popularity of “supersize food portions.”
Source: Jandt F. An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications,
Inc.; 2009.
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1.3 Understanding an Effective Counseling Relationship 9
Source: Adapted from Kittler P and Sucher K, Food and Culture in America, 2d ed. (Belmont, CA: West/Wadsworth; 1998); and Keenan, Debra P.
In the face of diversity: Modifying nutrition education delivery to meet the needs of an increasingly multicultural consumer base, J Nutr Ed.
1996;28:86–91.
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10 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
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1.3 Understanding an Effective Counseling Relationship 11
Exercise 1.10 Exploring Food Habits of Others Exercise 1.11 Starting a Relationship
Interview someone from a culture different than your Lilly is forty-two years old, has three children, and is about
own. Ask that person the questions in Exercise 1.7, and twenty pounds overweight. She sought the help of a
record his or her answers in your journal. What did you fitness and nutrition counselor, Joe, because she wants
learn from this activity? How can you personally avoid to increase her energy level and endurance. She tires
ethnocentric judgments regarding food habits? quickly and feels that exercise will help her stamina.
Joe Hello, Lilly. It’s great you came a little early.
Let’s get you right on the scale. OK, at
Some clients may regard the counseling process it- 163 pounds, it looks to me as if you need
self as an issue. The act of seeking and receiving help can to shed about 20 pounds. You have a
create feelings of vulnerability and incompetence. Dur-
ways to go but worry not—we will get it
ing counseling there is a presumed goal of doing some-
off you. Everything will be fine.
thing for the clients or changing them in some way.
Lilly I really…
This implication of superiority can raise hostile feelings
Joe I am not kidding, Lilly—don’t worry. We
in the client because the act presumes that the helper
will start slowly. What you want to do is
is wiser, more competent, and more powerful than the
get your BMI down, your muscle tissue
client. This is illustrated in Helen Keller’s account of her
up, as well as get rid of the fat. If you fol-
dreams about her teacher and lifelong friend, Annie Sul-
livan, who provided constant help for almost all aspects low me, I’ll introduce you to everyone,
of Helen’s existence: sign you up for an aerobics class, and
start you on your routine.
[T]here are some unaccountable contradictions Lilly Well, you see I only want…
in my dreams. For instance, although I have the Joe Hey, Rick, this is Lilly. She is a newcomer.
strongest, deepest affection for my teacher, yet
Rick Welcome, Lilly. Don’t forget to take home
when she appears to me in my sleep, we quarrel
some of our power bars—they are great
and fling the wildest reproaches at each other.
for beginners who may not know how to
She seizes me by the hand and drags me by
eat right.
main force towards I can never decide what—an
Joe Yeah, and be sure to bring a sports drink
abyss, a perilous mountain pass or a rushing
in with you; you will get mighty thirsty.
torrent, whatever in my terror I may imagine.44
No pain, no gain!
(pp. 165–166)
In groups of three, brainstorm the concerns in this
To help alleviate the negative impact of such issues
scenario. Why is this helping relationship off to a bad
on the counseling process, the motive for help and the
start? What questions or comments could Joe have
nature of the helping task as perceived by the counselor
made that may have been more helpful?
should be made clear to the receiver.
Relationship Between Helper and Client successful Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, cli-
The helping relationship is often divided into two ents could better communicate their capabilities when
phases: building a relationship and facilitating positive health professionals articulated what problems could
action. Building a relationship requires the development develop in attempting to improve blood glucose con-
of rapport, an ability to show empathy, and the forma- trol. They found honesty more likely to occur in an
tion of a trusting relationship.45 The goals of this phase environment in which clients do not feel they will be
are to learn about the nature of the problems from the criticized when difficulties occur, but rather believe the
client’s viewpoint, explore strengths, and promote caregivers will show understanding and work toward
self-exploration. preparing for similar future circumstances. Nonjudg-
The focus of the second phase of the counseling mental feedback was also an important component of
process is to help clients identify specific behaviors to the successful DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hy-
alter and to design realistic behavior change strategies pertension) dietary trial for reducing hypertension.47
to facilitate positive action. 45 This means clients need Counselors must communicate their willingness to dis-
to be open and honest about what they are willing cover their clients’ concerns and help them prioritize
and not willing to do. Lorenz et al.46 state that in the in a realistic manner.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
12 Chapter 1 Preparing to Meet Your Clients
In summary, it would be futile to start designing Another issue for novice nutrition counselors is as-
behavior change strategies when an effective relation- suming the role of expert or empathizer. Combining
ship has not developed and you do not yet have a clear the two roles can contribute to an effective interven-
understanding of your clients’ problems or an appre- tion, but a single approach is likely to hamper progress.
ciation of their strengths. According to Laquatra and An authority figure is impressive and appears to have
Danish:45 all the answers. Clients blindly accept the direction of
the “guru,” but little work is done to determine how to
Attending to the second part of the counseling
make the lifestyle changes work for them. As a result,
process without the strong foundation afforded by
clients revert to old eating patterns. On the other hand,
the first part results in dealing with the problem
the empathizer puts so much effort into focusing on cli-
as being separate from the client, or worse yet, pro-
ent problems that the client receives little direction or
viding solutions to the wrong problems. Behavior-
information. With experience and determination, the
change strategies designed under these circum-
two roles can be effectively combined.
stances are not likely to succeed. (p. 352)
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
References 13
7. Name and explain the two phases of the helping C. C. Schiavon, F. G. Vieira, V. Ceccatto, et al., Nutrition
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Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final hypertension trial. J Am Diet Assoc., 1999; S76–S83.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
2
Frameworks for
15
Understanding and
Attaining Behavior Change
Learning Objectives
2.1 xplain the importance of behavior
E
change models and theories for a
nutrition practitioner.
2.2 Describe and apply major concepts of
selected behavior change theories and
models.
2.3 Describe major components of selected
theoretical approaches to counseling.
© iStock.com/majaiva
2.4 Differentiate counseling approaches for
various durations of brief interventions.
Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares
to become involved with experimenting with his own life.
—HERBERT OTTO
15
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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DANCE ON STILTS AT THE GIRLS’ UNYAGO, NIUCHI
I see increasing reason to believe that the view formed some time
back as to the origin of the Makonde bush is the correct one. I have
no doubt that it is not a natural product, but the result of human
occupation. Those parts of the high country where man—as a very
slight amount of practice enables the eye to perceive at once—has not
yet penetrated with axe and hoe, are still occupied by a splendid
timber forest quite able to sustain a comparison with our mixed
forests in Germany. But wherever man has once built his hut or tilled
his field, this horrible bush springs up. Every phase of this process
may be seen in the course of a couple of hours’ walk along the main
road. From the bush to right or left, one hears the sound of the axe—
not from one spot only, but from several directions at once. A few
steps further on, we can see what is taking place. The brush has been
cut down and piled up in heaps to the height of a yard or more,
between which the trunks of the large trees stand up like the last
pillars of a magnificent ruined building. These, too, present a
melancholy spectacle: the destructive Makonde have ringed them—
cut a broad strip of bark all round to ensure their dying off—and also
piled up pyramids of brush round them. Father and son, mother and
son-in-law, are chopping away perseveringly in the background—too
busy, almost, to look round at the white stranger, who usually excites
so much interest. If you pass by the same place a week later, the piles
of brushwood have disappeared and a thick layer of ashes has taken
the place of the green forest. The large trees stretch their
smouldering trunks and branches in dumb accusation to heaven—if
they have not already fallen and been more or less reduced to ashes,
perhaps only showing as a white stripe on the dark ground.
This work of destruction is carried out by the Makonde alike on the
virgin forest and on the bush which has sprung up on sites already
cultivated and deserted. In the second case they are saved the trouble
of burning the large trees, these being entirely absent in the
secondary bush.
After burning this piece of forest ground and loosening it with the
hoe, the native sows his corn and plants his vegetables. All over the
country, he goes in for bed-culture, which requires, and, in fact,
receives, the most careful attention. Weeds are nowhere tolerated in
the south of German East Africa. The crops may fail on the plains,
where droughts are frequent, but never on the plateau with its
abundant rains and heavy dews. Its fortunate inhabitants even have
the satisfaction of seeing the proud Wayao and Wamakua working
for them as labourers, driven by hunger to serve where they were
accustomed to rule.
But the light, sandy soil is soon exhausted, and would yield no
harvest the second year if cultivated twice running. This fact has
been familiar to the native for ages; consequently he provides in
time, and, while his crop is growing, prepares the next plot with axe
and firebrand. Next year he plants this with his various crops and
lets the first piece lie fallow. For a short time it remains waste and
desolate; then nature steps in to repair the destruction wrought by
man; a thousand new growths spring out of the exhausted soil, and
even the old stumps put forth fresh shoots. Next year the new growth
is up to one’s knees, and in a few years more it is that terrible,
impenetrable bush, which maintains its position till the black
occupier of the land has made the round of all the available sites and
come back to his starting point.
The Makonde are, body and soul, so to speak, one with this bush.
According to my Yao informants, indeed, their name means nothing
else but “bush people.” Their own tradition says that they have been
settled up here for a very long time, but to my surprise they laid great
stress on an original immigration. Their old homes were in the
south-east, near Mikindani and the mouth of the Rovuma, whence
their peaceful forefathers were driven by the continual raids of the
Sakalavas from Madagascar and the warlike Shirazis[47] of the coast,
to take refuge on the almost inaccessible plateau. I have studied
African ethnology for twenty years, but the fact that changes of
population in this apparently quiet and peaceable corner of the earth
could have been occasioned by outside enterprises taking place on
the high seas, was completely new to me. It is, no doubt, however,
correct.
The charming tribal legend of the Makonde—besides informing us
of other interesting matters—explains why they have to live in the
thickest of the bush and a long way from the edge of the plateau,
instead of making their permanent homes beside the purling brooks
and springs of the low country.
“The place where the tribe originated is Mahuta, on the southern
side of the plateau towards the Rovuma, where of old time there was
nothing but thick bush. Out of this bush came a man who never
washed himself or shaved his head, and who ate and drank but little.
He went out and made a human figure from the wood of a tree
growing in the open country, which he took home to his abode in the
bush and there set it upright. In the night this image came to life and
was a woman. The man and woman went down together to the
Rovuma to wash themselves. Here the woman gave birth to a still-
born child. They left that place and passed over the high land into the
valley of the Mbemkuru, where the woman had another child, which
was also born dead. Then they returned to the high bush country of
Mahuta, where the third child was born, which lived and grew up. In
course of time, the couple had many more children, and called
themselves Wamatanda. These were the ancestral stock of the
Makonde, also called Wamakonde,[48] i.e., aborigines. Their
forefather, the man from the bush, gave his children the command to
bury their dead upright, in memory of the mother of their race who
was cut out of wood and awoke to life when standing upright. He also
warned them against settling in the valleys and near large streams,
for sickness and death dwelt there. They were to make it a rule to
have their huts at least an hour’s walk from the nearest watering-
place; then their children would thrive and escape illness.”
The explanation of the name Makonde given by my informants is
somewhat different from that contained in the above legend, which I
extract from a little book (small, but packed with information), by
Pater Adams, entitled Lindi und sein Hinterland. Otherwise, my
results agree exactly with the statements of the legend. Washing?
Hapana—there is no such thing. Why should they do so? As it is, the
supply of water scarcely suffices for cooking and drinking; other
people do not wash, so why should the Makonde distinguish himself
by such needless eccentricity? As for shaving the head, the short,
woolly crop scarcely needs it,[49] so the second ancestral precept is
likewise easy enough to follow. Beyond this, however, there is
nothing ridiculous in the ancestor’s advice. I have obtained from
various local artists a fairly large number of figures carved in wood,
ranging from fifteen to twenty-three inches in height, and
representing women belonging to the great group of the Mavia,
Makonde, and Matambwe tribes. The carving is remarkably well
done and renders the female type with great accuracy, especially the
keloid ornamentation, to be described later on. As to the object and
meaning of their works the sculptors either could or (more probably)
would tell me nothing, and I was forced to content myself with the
scanty information vouchsafed by one man, who said that the figures
were merely intended to represent the nembo—the artificial
deformations of pelele, ear-discs, and keloids. The legend recorded
by Pater Adams places these figures in a new light. They must surely
be more than mere dolls; and we may even venture to assume that
they are—though the majority of present-day Makonde are probably
unaware of the fact—representations of the tribal ancestress.
The references in the legend to the descent from Mahuta to the
Rovuma, and to a journey across the highlands into the Mbekuru
valley, undoubtedly indicate the previous history of the tribe, the
travels of the ancestral pair typifying the migrations of their
descendants. The descent to the neighbouring Rovuma valley, with
its extraordinary fertility and great abundance of game, is intelligible
at a glance—but the crossing of the Lukuledi depression, the ascent
to the Rondo Plateau and the descent to the Mbemkuru, also lie
within the bounds of probability, for all these districts have exactly
the same character as the extreme south. Now, however, comes a
point of especial interest for our bacteriological age. The primitive
Makonde did not enjoy their lives in the marshy river-valleys.
Disease raged among them, and many died. It was only after they
had returned to their original home near Mahuta, that the health
conditions of these people improved. We are very apt to think of the
African as a stupid person whose ignorance of nature is only equalled
by his fear of it, and who looks on all mishaps as caused by evil
spirits and malignant natural powers. It is much more correct to
assume in this case that the people very early learnt to distinguish
districts infested with malaria from those where it is absent.
This knowledge is crystallized in the
ancestral warning against settling in the
valleys and near the great waters, the
dwelling-places of disease and death. At the
same time, for security against the hostile
Mavia south of the Rovuma, it was enacted
that every settlement must be not less than a
certain distance from the southern edge of the
plateau. Such in fact is their mode of life at the
present day. It is not such a bad one, and
certainly they are both safer and more
comfortable than the Makua, the recent
intruders from the south, who have made USUAL METHOD OF
good their footing on the western edge of the CLOSING HUT-DOOR
plateau, extending over a fairly wide belt of
country. Neither Makua nor Makonde show in their dwellings
anything of the size and comeliness of the Yao houses in the plain,
especially at Masasi, Chingulungulu and Zuza’s. Jumbe Chauro, a
Makonde hamlet not far from Newala, on the road to Mahuta, is the
most important settlement of the tribe I have yet seen, and has fairly
spacious huts. But how slovenly is their construction compared with
the palatial residences of the elephant-hunters living in the plain.
The roofs are still more untidy than in the general run of huts during
the dry season, the walls show here and there the scanty beginnings
or the lamentable remains of the mud plastering, and the interior is a
veritable dog-kennel; dirt, dust and disorder everywhere. A few huts
only show any attempt at division into rooms, and this consists
merely of very roughly-made bamboo partitions. In one point alone
have I noticed any indication of progress—in the method of fastening
the door. Houses all over the south are secured in a simple but
ingenious manner. The door consists of a set of stout pieces of wood
or bamboo, tied with bark-string to two cross-pieces, and moving in
two grooves round one of the door-posts, so as to open inwards. If
the owner wishes to leave home, he takes two logs as thick as a man’s
upper arm and about a yard long. One of these is placed obliquely
against the middle of the door from the inside, so as to form an angle
of from 60° to 75° with the ground. He then places the second piece
horizontally across the first, pressing it downward with all his might.
It is kept in place by two strong posts planted in the ground a few
inches inside the door. This fastening is absolutely safe, but of course
cannot be applied to both doors at once, otherwise how could the
owner leave or enter his house? I have not yet succeeded in finding
out how the back door is fastened.