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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mala Krishnamoorthy, Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, 85 Prescott Street, Worcester, MA 01605, 540-568-3955, suban@townisp.com

Studies have shown that a significant number of adolescents have health-related problems, such as obesity, and eating disorders although the majority of students take nutrition classes in the school. In this study, a survey covering the areas of weight, fat, vitamins and minerals, food, exercise, and cholesterol was designed and conducted to determine the level of health and nutritional knowledge of high school students in grades nine through twelve, with the goal of identifying strengths, weaknesses, and issues. Seven schools participated and the sample size was 253. The results of statistical analysis indicated a mean overall knowledge of 60.79%+/-1.44%. Students scored the best in the exercise category and most poorly in the cholesterol category. Males and females had equal overall knowledge. However, females had mixed knowledge on the impact of eating disorders and obesity on menstruation and the health issues resulting from lack of periods. BMI analysis showed a higher percentage of overweight and underweight adolescents when compared to the students' perception of their weights (possible causes for eating disorders and obesity). Furthermore, students who read food labels and eat based on food content had better knowledge on food category. The study indicated there is room for improvement in every category. The results will help schools in the United States and elsewhere to revise existing health and nutrition and physical education curriculums. They will also indicate what areas need greater emphasis in order to improve the knowledge of students.

Learning Objectives:

• The learning objective is to identify the overall health and nutritional
• knowledge of high school students as well as student knowledge on
• categories such as weight, fat, vitamins and minerals, exercise, food,
• and cholesterol, since significant percentage of adolescents has health
• problems. Using the survey results, the goal was to identify
• problematic areas, revise existing health curriculums in schools, and
• address any weak areas so as to improve student knowledge in those
• areas. Because knowledge and healthy habits learned at young age will
• be sustained through adulthood, it is essential to identify and correct
• any issues during adolescence.

Keywords: School Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered