Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110138

Amy Thompson, PhD, CHES¹, Carla Smith, PhD², Barry Hunt, EdD¹, and Cathy Sharp, BS¹. (1) Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9805, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, (662) 325-7232, athompson@colled.msstate.edu, (2) Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9575, Starkville, MS 39762

The purpose of this investigation was to assess school health educators' perceptions and teaching practices regarding disordered eating behaviors. Findings delineate the perceived importance of disordered eating as a health problem in secondary schools and the role that health educators can play in prevention. Surveys (n=600) were mailed using a three wave mailing to a random sample of secondary school health educators across the United States. The 36-item survey examined teacher's perceptions and practices utilizing Stages of Change, self-efficacy and the Health Belief Model. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Stability/reliability was determined using test/re-test. Descriptive statistics determined frequency of responses. Pearson product moment coefficient, chi-square and ANOVA analysis were conducted to compare demographic variables with educational practices targeting prevention of disordered eating behaviors. Forty-five percent of respondents identified disordered eating as a significant problem. Eighty-eight percent agreed that it is the responsibility of the health teacher to educate students on disordered eating behaviors, yet 25% are not currently teaching this topic. Seventy-six percent perceived disordered eating prevention to be as important as other health topics. Eighty-four percent of respondents could confidently guide students to receive help for disordered eating but only 36% indicated that there was a cooperative referral plan at their school. Disordered eating is an important health issue for high school students. Targeted school interventions, training of pre-service teachers and development of cooperative referral plans could impact this problem.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss school educators perceptions regarding disordered eating behaviors in students.
• Identify the need for a cooperative disordered eating referal plan in schools.
• Discuss the current teaching practices of secondary school educators regarding disordered eating prevention efforts.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.