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Taking an Undergraduate Nutrition Course Results in Favorable Attitudes Toward a Healthful Diet and Improved Intake of Several Key Nutrients
Author(s) -
Pawlak Roman,
Cerutti Chandra Speight,
Quinton Rena
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1552-3934.2009.00001.x
Subject(s) - nutrient , environmental health , food intake , dietary fiber , medicine , added sugar , test (biology) , food science , psychology , sugar , biology , endocrinology , ecology , paleontology
The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of introductory undergraduate nutrition course on students’ attitudes toward healthy diet and on students’ intake of nutrients. A pre and post‐test design was used to assess changes in self‐reported nutrient intake. Open‐ended questions were asked to elicit responses about how/whether the course had any impact on their attitudes toward foods and dietary behavior. A statistically significant increase in fiber, folate, potassium, and calcium intake were observed, comparing post to pre‐test. A decrease in saturated fat intake in terms of energy percentage was observed. Increased awareness of the impact of diet on health was reported by students. A desire to increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and to decrease intake of fat and sugar was also reported. Students reported a willingness to eat less fast food and candies as well as drink fewer sodas. Thus, in this study a college nutrition course did effectively increase awareness of a healthy diet as well as change in attitude and modify dietary behavior.