Does Nutrition Education in the Family and Consumer Sciences Classroom Promote Healthy Eating and Exercise Habits?

Abstract

Many high school students do not practice healthy eating and exercise habits. According to the National Center for Disease Control, 18% of adolescents ages 12-18 are currently overweight (National Institutes of Health, 2006). Many are not aware of consequences associated with unhealthy lifestyles. To improve students' eating and exercise behaviors, students must acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with healthy practices. One venue for addressing this need is through nutrition education in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. The question of this study asks: Does nutrition education in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom promote healthy eating and exercise behaviors? Findings of this study indicate that an increase in nutritional knowledge alone does not result in immediate changes of eating or exercise behaviors.