| Popis: |
We examined changes in food-choice behavior, nutrition knowledge, and attitudes of junior and senior high school students in a three-year national study of nutrition education integrated into home economics, health, science, and social studies. Key findings useful in understanding the impact of nutrition education on adolescent food choices were that 1) study participants' nutrition knowledge improved, 2) their attitudes toward nutrition—positive before instruction—became more positive, and 3) their intentions to include more high-nutrient foods in their diet increased significantly. Our results suggest that teacher experience and commitment to nutrition education are important factors in influencing teenagers to change food consumption patterns in positive directions. Variables in the school setting most closely related to positive change included support from within the school system and from external forces encouraging the teaching of nutrition. Also important to policy makers are the findings that nutrition education for adolescents can be effective under a broad range of conditions. |
