Nutrition+Education


 * Health/Nutrition Education**

The effects of nutrition education prove to be beneficial in promoting better and healthier food choices at school and at home. A study performed by "The Journal of Educational Research" demonstrates healthy habits from a young age. "The research participants incorporated the above activities in their classrooms ill order to teach about disease prevention, table manners, proper use of silverware, and about different foods and their importance to building a healthy body. The study recommends adequate nutritional health education for preschoolers in order to help them as they develop. In particular, it recommends the integration of various nutritional activities in preschool classrooms to enable teachers to teach about food choices, food types (and their nutritional benefits), and about good and safe eating habits."

Obeng, C. (2009). NUTRITIONAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES IN PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS. //Journal of Education Research //, //3 //(1/2), 59-68. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

To continue, teachers believe that reteaching nutrition education is essential throughout elementary school years. Along with facts and structured eating guidelines, teachers use reading as another successful connection to children's lives. "..teaching about healthy eating habits should be approached with sensitivity and should include the message that a varied diet should be eaten. It offers suggestions for using "Gregory, the Terrible Eater" to teach kindergarten through grade 3 about the food pyramid and "Food and Nutrition" for teaching grades 4-6 test which foods contain carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and proteins."

Royce, C. (2010). You Are What You Eat!. //Science & Children //, //47 //(9), 18-20. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

In addition, teachers are discovering new and innovative ways to excite students about nutrition and educate them about wise food choices. Branching off of the typical nutritional education, The Journal of Food Science Education offers a new approach to education. "For this project, a multimedia, self-paced online resource for delivering a food safety curriculum to middle school children was developed. Animated characters were used to deliver the lesson content. The application also included video segments, quiz feedback, and interactive games and activities."

Lynch, R., Dale Steen, M., Pritchard, T., Buzzell, P., & Pintauro, S. (2008). Delivering Food Safety Education to Middle School Students Using a Web-Based, Interactive, Multimedia, Computer Program.//Journal of Food Science Education //, //7 //(2), 35-42. doi:10.1111/j.1541-4329.2007.00046.x.

In conclusion, college students are still learning of the benefits of healthful food choices. "By participating in online surveys and questions, college students reported..Significantly more participants reported that healthful choices were clearly identified in the dining hall after the intervention. Over 20% of participants reported becoming more aware of healthful food choices in the dining hall after the intervention."

Peterson, S., Duncan, D., Null, D., Roth, S., & Gill, L. (2010). Positive Changes in Perceptions and Selections of Healthful Foods by College Students After a Short-Term Point-of-Selection Intervention at a Dining Hall. //Journal of American College Health //, //58 //(5), 425-431. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Nicole Clark