Effectiveness of an integrated nutrition and physical fitness curriculum on knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of selected college students

Date

1986-12

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Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

One hundred fifty nine students enrolled in nutrition and physical fitness classes were studied to assess the effectiveness of an integrated nutrition and physical fitness curriculum on the knowledge and attitudes toward nutrition and physical fitness and on the perceived and reported adequacy of nutrient intake and fitness levels. Data were collected using a pretest-posttest schedule for knowledge and attitudes toward nutrition and physical fitness scores. The second phase of the study used dietary data obtained from 24 hour diet records and measured fitness levels. Subjects in the physical fitness treatment group showed the greatest cognitive benefit from the integrated instructional unit. More moderate attitudes toward nutrition and physical fitness were reported by subjects in the treatment groups. The scores for attitudes toward physical fitness indicated stronger impact from the instructional unit than scores for attitudes toward nutrition. This implied that attitudes toward fitness may be more receptive to change than those toward nutrition.

The perceived adequacy of nutrient intake reflected popular opinions expressed by the meoia. Kilocalorie intake was perceived as high, while protein, vitamin and mineral intakes were perceived as adequate to low. Subjects in the nutrition classes perceived their nutrient intake as closer to adequate than did those in the physical fitness classes. The reported adequacy of nutrient intake was significantly different between the subjects in the nutrition classes and those in the fitness classes in kilocalories, protein, vitamin C, and calcium. There were no significant differences in the nutrient intakes of subjects studied according to teaching strategy (control or treatment groups). Overall, the subjects reported diets reasonably adequate in all of the nutrients, except for iron. Further investigation is indicated to ascertain the factors most responsible for diet related behavior modification in the college age student.

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