Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Changes In College Students: Efficacy of One-Credit Hour Nutrition Concepts Vs. Three-Credit Hour Nutrition Courses

Abstract

Nutrition knowledge and attitude changes were measured in 171 students completing a three-credit hour Nutrition course and 249 students completing a one-credit hour Nutrition Concepts course. Knowledge and attitude were measured on the first class day (pre-test) and at the end of the one semester courses (post-test). Instruments used were the previously validated Nutrition Knowledge Test (NKT) (50 multiple-choice questions) and Nutrition Attitude Scale (NAS) (25 closed-ended statements to which respondents agreed/disagreed with nutrition attitude statements). Curricula was similar in both courses, but differed in depth of content. Course topics included the Dietary Guidelines/Food Guide Pyramid, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Results included that mean post-test NKT scores from subjects in the one-credit hour course (64±0.7% correct) were significantly higher (p<0.01), than pre-test NKT scores by the same subjects (56±0.6% correct). Mean post-test NKT scores from subjects in the three-credit hour course (67±1.0% correct) were also significantly higher (p<0.01), than pre-test NKT scores (58±0.6% correct). Post-test three-credit hour NKT scores were significantly higher (p<0.05) than post-test one-credit hour NKT scores. Although a significant gain in nutrition knowledge was observed following completion of a one- or three-semester hour course, post-test scores in both courses were in the 64-67% correct range and not high enough to assure content mastery. Pre-test NAS scores of one-credit hour subjects averaged 92±0.9 (out of 125), indicating a favorable nutrition attitude. Post-test NAS scores from these subjects increased (not significantly) to 94±0.9 (out of 125), again indicating a favorable attitude. In three-credit hour subjects, NAS scores remained in the favorable range, but declined (p<0.05) from the pre-test average of 97±0.9(out of 125) to 88±2.6(out of 125). It can be concluded that nutrition attitude remains in the favorable range before and after one- and three-credit hour university nutrition courses. Even though knowledge increases following completion of either course, nutrition knowledge remains in a percent correct range below the content mastery level.