Publication Date

1993

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

King, Sondra L.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Human and Family Resources

LCSH

Health behavior in adolescence; Human behavior--Nutritional aspects; Health education; Nutrition--Psychological aspects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition bulletins containing cognitive, behavioral, and attitudinal components on nutrition knowledge, food/nutrition attitudes, and fat intake behavior of senior high school students. One hundred and six students were surveyed using a pretest-posttest, treatment-control group design. The treatment groups received the nutrition bulletins in their health or home economics class, with the control groups receiving general health bulletins. The survey used consisted of three instruments: a fat intake scale, a food/nutrition attitude instrument, and a nutrition knowledge test. Student t-tests and chi square analyses comparing treatment and control groups' knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores at baseline revealed no significant differences between the groups. Results of stepwise multiple linear regressions indicate that the experimental group had significantly improved knowledge scores. No significant changes were observed in nutrition attitudes or fat intake behavior. Among demographic variables examined, results indicate younger students showed more positive knowledge gains than older students. Also, age and family history of heart disease were significant predictors of both fat intake behavior and selected nutrition attitudes. The attitude scale entitled Caring About Nutrition was also found to be a significant predictor of fat intake behavior.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [26]-29)

Extent

85 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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