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Cultural context is associated with intent to pursue nutrition careers in a diverse population (118.4)
Author(s) -
McEligot Archana,
Chandler Laura,
Tran Natalie,
Pillazar Lyanna,
Steinberg Francene
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.118.4
Subject(s) - childhood obesity , obesity , curriculum , context (archaeology) , workforce , population , nutrition education , medicine , psychology , gerontology , medical education , environmental health , political science , pedagogy , geography , overweight , archaeology , law
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, and without an appropriate workforce training and education, the epidemic may continue to escalate. The current study focuses on increasing the number of diverse students entering childhood obesity and nutrition‐related careers via developing nutrition education curricula, integrating cultural contextual issues. Using baseline data, we assessed predictors associated with students’ intent to pursue childhood obesity and nutrition‐related careers. Undergraduate students (N = 208) at a comprehensive university completed an 82‐item survey. Factor analysis yielded seven constructs: intent to pursue future careers in nutrition/childhood obesity, knowledge of childhood obesity and social influence, knowledge of childhood obesity and cultural influence, general understanding of physical activity, understanding of children’s physical activity, knowledge of nutrition and obesity, and knowledge of foods and disease risks. The sample represented a diverse population with 41% API, 33% Latino, and 26% NHW. Results indicate that after controlling for social class, GPA, and the number of units completed in health science, those who reported higher knowledge of cultural influence on childhood obesity are more likely to have interest in pursuing nutrition/childhood obesity careers (p = .009). Further, we found a significant (p=0.02) higher intent for Latino students to pursue nutrition careers that involve cultural factors related to childhood obesity. These findings have important implications of including a curriculum focusing on the socio‐cultural aspects of childhood obesity to potentially increase the number and interest of students entering nutrition‐related fields. Grant Funding Source : Supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Higher Education Challenge grant, #