- Email: [email protected]
P39: Step up MyPyramid — Comparing Teaching Methods for Ethnically Diverse Elementary School Children: A Pilot Study
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ● Volume 40, Number 4, July/August 2008 Supplement
P38 (continued) if they delay health issues because of access to care, the role of socio-economic status and the role of patient/physician concordance in the quality of healthcare delivered. Design, Setting and Participants: Review of the literature recommended a survey was the preferred methodology to use on the target population. This was a non-probability sampling of approximately 400 New Jersey (NJ) women in faith-based communities. Intervention: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed. The survey consisted of 31 constructs. The cohort included, 51.4 % (N ⫽ 188) African American women, and 45.2% (N ⫽ 165) Caucasian women. Outcome Measures and Analysis: In analysis of the WORS questions, a bivariate correlation coefficient was utilized. Results: WORS demonstrated there was a significance difference in the number of white women who were referred for a bone density test. A statistical significance was identified in the number of white women who are taking prescriptive medication and calcium supplementation as compared to black women. At-risk African American women were less likely to have been recommended calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation. A statistical significance was identified in the number of white women who said their physician asked them screening questions related to osteoporosis prevention/treatment. Conclusions and Implications: The results of the WORS study clearly validated what previous research has already demonstrated. When physicians utilize screening practices for osteoporosis on older African American women, fracture risk will be reduced.
P39 Step up MyPyramid — Comparing Teaching Methods for Ethnically Diverse Elementary School Children: A Pilot Study Sarah Hazlegrove, BS, [email protected]; Lauren Haldeman, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Nutrition, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402-6170, [email protected] Objective: Utilizing constructs from the Social Cognitive Theory (outcome expectancies/expectations, self-efficacy, sociocultural factors), a randomized school trial was designed to pilot test methods for teaching fourth and fifth graders how to utilize MyPyramid. Design, Setting and Participants: Elementary schools (N⫽3) were randomized into intervention and control schools and administered a pre- and post-test. Participating schools were low-income with high percentages of Latino and African American students. Students (N⫽46) ranged in age from 9-11 years. Intervention: Students in intervention classrooms received six 1-hour classes on MyPyramid conducted by nutrition professional. Lessons were adapted for cultural differences
S59
and socioeconomic status using the teacher curricula provided by the MyPyramid website. Controls received written materials only. Outcome Measures and Analysis: SPSS v. 15.0 was used to assess increases in nutrition knowledge; fruit and vegetable, low-fat dairy, and whole grain consumption; physical activity; and positive attitudes about nutrition and physical activity. Results: Preliminary findings indicated that at pre-test 58% of intervention students could correctly define a serving which increased to 67.5% at post-test. Likewise, correct responses for daily recommended dairy servings increased from 29.3% to 43.9%. At post test, over half of the students (N⫽14) in intervention classrooms correctly identified the corresponding food groups to the colors of MyPyramid. Conclusions and Implications: Findings showed knowledge improvements in intervention classrooms. Adapted MyPyramid in-class lessons appear to have a positive impact on low-income, diverse elementary school students. This project was funded by the USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program.
P40 Comparison of Foods Selected by Iron County Middle School Students with the Dietary Reference Intakes Cynthia Wright, PhD, Southern Utah University, 351 West University Boulevard, Cedar City, UT 84720; Kelly Wilcock Objective: The objective of this session is to examine the impact of student food choices on the adequacy of diet even when selected foods come from a facility that meets the requirements of the National School Lunch Program. Design, Setting and Participants: Six trained coders observed middle school students as they made food selections from school lunch lines over the course of three days. Coders also documented gender and recorded a visually assessed weight category for each student. Individual choices by students may impact not only nutrient intake but also caloric intake, thereby leading to obesity. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Means were compared using independent sample t tests and ANOVA was used to compare the data based on weight categories. Results: Results showed significant differences between nutrients consumed based on school attended (P⬍0.01) and lunch line selected (p⬍0.05). There were also significant differences in protein, calcium and iron intake based on gender (P⬍0.01). Data also revealed that adequacy of student diets varied significantly (P⬍0.01) from day to day. Conclusions and Implications: This research raises awareness of problems facing the school lunch program as it is currently implemented in Iron County School District (ISCD). Results were shared with administrators and Continued on page S60
P38 (continued) if they delay health issues because of access to care, the role of socio-economic status and the role of patient/physician concordance in the quality of healthcare delivered. Design, Setting and Participants: Review of the literature recommended a survey was the preferred methodology to use on the target population. This was a non-probability sampling of approximately 400 New Jersey (NJ) women in faith-based communities. Intervention: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed. The survey consisted of 31 constructs. The cohort included, 51.4 % (N ⫽ 188) African American women, and 45.2% (N ⫽ 165) Caucasian women. Outcome Measures and Analysis: In analysis of the WORS questions, a bivariate correlation coefficient was utilized. Results: WORS demonstrated there was a significance difference in the number of white women who were referred for a bone density test. A statistical significance was identified in the number of white women who are taking prescriptive medication and calcium supplementation as compared to black women. At-risk African American women were less likely to have been recommended calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation. A statistical significance was identified in the number of white women who said their physician asked them screening questions related to osteoporosis prevention/treatment. Conclusions and Implications: The results of the WORS study clearly validated what previous research has already demonstrated. When physicians utilize screening practices for osteoporosis on older African American women, fracture risk will be reduced.
P39 Step up MyPyramid — Comparing Teaching Methods for Ethnically Diverse Elementary School Children: A Pilot Study Sarah Hazlegrove, BS, [email protected]; Lauren Haldeman, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Nutrition, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402-6170, [email protected] Objective: Utilizing constructs from the Social Cognitive Theory (outcome expectancies/expectations, self-efficacy, sociocultural factors), a randomized school trial was designed to pilot test methods for teaching fourth and fifth graders how to utilize MyPyramid. Design, Setting and Participants: Elementary schools (N⫽3) were randomized into intervention and control schools and administered a pre- and post-test. Participating schools were low-income with high percentages of Latino and African American students. Students (N⫽46) ranged in age from 9-11 years. Intervention: Students in intervention classrooms received six 1-hour classes on MyPyramid conducted by nutrition professional. Lessons were adapted for cultural differences
S59
and socioeconomic status using the teacher curricula provided by the MyPyramid website. Controls received written materials only. Outcome Measures and Analysis: SPSS v. 15.0 was used to assess increases in nutrition knowledge; fruit and vegetable, low-fat dairy, and whole grain consumption; physical activity; and positive attitudes about nutrition and physical activity. Results: Preliminary findings indicated that at pre-test 58% of intervention students could correctly define a serving which increased to 67.5% at post-test. Likewise, correct responses for daily recommended dairy servings increased from 29.3% to 43.9%. At post test, over half of the students (N⫽14) in intervention classrooms correctly identified the corresponding food groups to the colors of MyPyramid. Conclusions and Implications: Findings showed knowledge improvements in intervention classrooms. Adapted MyPyramid in-class lessons appear to have a positive impact on low-income, diverse elementary school students. This project was funded by the USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program.
P40 Comparison of Foods Selected by Iron County Middle School Students with the Dietary Reference Intakes Cynthia Wright, PhD, Southern Utah University, 351 West University Boulevard, Cedar City, UT 84720; Kelly Wilcock Objective: The objective of this session is to examine the impact of student food choices on the adequacy of diet even when selected foods come from a facility that meets the requirements of the National School Lunch Program. Design, Setting and Participants: Six trained coders observed middle school students as they made food selections from school lunch lines over the course of three days. Coders also documented gender and recorded a visually assessed weight category for each student. Individual choices by students may impact not only nutrient intake but also caloric intake, thereby leading to obesity. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Means were compared using independent sample t tests and ANOVA was used to compare the data based on weight categories. Results: Results showed significant differences between nutrients consumed based on school attended (P⬍0.01) and lunch line selected (p⬍0.05). There were also significant differences in protein, calcium and iron intake based on gender (P⬍0.01). Data also revealed that adequacy of student diets varied significantly (P⬍0.01) from day to day. Conclusions and Implications: This research raises awareness of problems facing the school lunch program as it is currently implemented in Iron County School District (ISCD). Results were shared with administrators and Continued on page S60