Instructor Spotlight: Dr. Meghan McGee – Nutrition, Health and Wellness program

McMaster Continuing Education recently launched a Nutrition, Health and Wellness program that focuses on the foundational elements of nutrition, healthy living, and wellness to give students the tools, knowledge, and resources to succeed in this field.

We spoke to one of the instructors of this program, Dr. Meghan McGee, Health System Manager with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, about her thoughts on this new program. From the start, we could sense her passion and enthusiasm. We couldn’t be more pleased that she now brings her knowledge of clinical and health science research, statistical analysis, and AI methodologies to our Nutrition, Health and Wellness program at McMaster University Continuing Education.

What has your experience been like taking part in the Nutrition, Health and Wellness program?

“It has been an incredible experience taking part in this new program at McMaster Continuing Education. Nutrition, health and wellness are ever-evolving fields. There is new evidence and knowledge about what affects our health being released. My role is to stay on top of the evidence in this field to ensure that I am presenting the most up-to-date scientific information to the students.”

“I have been immersing myself in all the latest nutritional science news and keeping connected with my networks to make sure that I’m up to date with what’s happening in the world of nutrition. In addition, I am making sure that I will convey that information in a way that is relatable so that it is easy to understand for my students.”

Who is the target audience for the new online Nutrition, Health and Wellness program?

“There is a spectrum of people who can benefit from the Nutrition, Health and Wellness program. It targets people looking to gain a better understanding of nutritional science. This could be a person from a professional or coaching perspective and anyone who simply wants to improve their own personal health and wellness.

“Professionally, this course will benefit anyone interested in becoming a health and wellness coach interested in learning how people adopt different health and wellness behaviours. As well as how to make healthy living behaviours stick to ensure someone is set up for success. These courses include specific steps to ensure good nutrition and physical activity are incorporated into a healthy day-to-day lifestyle.”

But there are also many aspects of these courses that speak to what all of us can do to improve our own nutrition, physical activity, fitness, and wellness.”

What will students learn by taking this program?

“This program includes not just nutrition and healthy eating, but also considers physical activity and even mindfulness.”

Dr. McGee explains that her program materials will include contemporaries, as she takes scientific knowledge and uses it to debunk myths and better equip students with the knowledge to succeed in this industry. The program promises to be current, exciting, and possibly life-changing.

Dr. McGee plans to tackle misinformation, including social media influence by helping students understand what is and is not scientifically proven. As a gifted communicator, Meghan can bridge the gap of knowledge between the scientific community and the general public.

What would you like to tell Canadians about nutrition, health, and wellness?

“We can ground ourselves in the knowledge that good nutrition is simple and doesn’t have to be restrictive. But it can look different for everyone in terms of living a healthy lifestyle. It’s a matter of incorporating good behaviours into healthy habits. Those are the first steps.”

Dr. Meghan McGee is an instructor in the Nutrition, Health, and Wellness program at McMaster University. Her expertise covers different lifestyle aspects of nutrition, obesity, and well-being. This includes healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, and breastfeeding. She is a talented science communicator and also works as a freelance journalist reporting on nutrition research.

Meghan obtained a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto and is a research collaborator at the Hospital for Sick Children and Sinai Health.

Learn more about the new Nutrition, Health and Wellness program at McMaster University Continuing Education.

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