Effective Nutrition Education Programs Research Articles

The nutritional knowledge of nurses working at the medical college hospital in the northern district of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Background: Nutrition significantly impacts disease prevention and patient recovery. As healthcare providers across various health sectors, nurses often have the opportunity to offer dietary guidance to patients. However, there is a dearth of studies in the literature that assess nurses’ nutritional knowledge in Bangladesh. Objective: This study aimed to determine the nutritional knowledge of nurses employed at a tertiary-level medical college hospital in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, with 109 staff nurses completing a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, work-related information, and 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) aimed at assessing nurses’ nutrition knowledge. Data were collected between April and May 2022. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ2) tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The average score of nutrition knowledge was 63.4% (SD = 13.94) for all nurses, falling within the low to moderate range. Nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (22.2%) and 11 - 15 years of work experience (14.7%) demonstrated a very good level of nutrition knowledge. Education level (χ2 = 18.659; p <0.05) and work experience (χ2 = 22.356; p <0.01) significantly influenced knowledge levels. Most nurses sought nutritional advice from less than 25% of patients, with doctors/physicians being the most common source of nutrition information provided by nurses. Conclusion: The average nutritional knowledge score of Bangladeshi nurses was low to moderate. Education level and length of work experience significantly impacted knowledge levels. Therefore, it is recommended that effective ongoing nutrition education programs, nursing curriculum reforms, and in-service training are crucial to enhancing nurses’ nutritional knowledge.

Expanding MATCH-Type Wellness Program to Improve Adolescent Health Outcomes

MATCH (Motivating Adolescents with Technology to CHOOSE Health) is an online, interdisciplinary wellness program targeted at improving adolescent nutrition that teachers can easily incorporate into existing curricula. The shift from childhood to adolescence is characterized by rapid increases in autonomy of nutritional intake. Given that dietary habits established in adolescence often persist into adulthood, effective nutrition education programs during this period are of particular relevance. Although there are a vast number of existing nutrition education programs aimed at adolescents, we explain why MATCH and similar programs should be expanded across the United States to improve adolescent health outcomes including obesity prevention.

The influence of gender, media, and internet usage on adolescents' fast food perception and fluid intake

BackgroundUnderstanding the factors that influence adolescent’s perception of fast food and their fluid consumption is crucial for designing effective nutrition education programs tailored to this population. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of sex and the use of media and the internet with adolescents' perception of fast foods and the amount of fluid consumption.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on school adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 years in Kuwait, using a multistage stratified random sampling method (N = 706 adolescents; 343 boys and 363 girls). A pre-tested and specifically designed self-report questionnaire covering several measures such as: (a) types of foods that are considered fast foods; and (b) participant’s fluid consumption. Body weight and height were measured using calibrated medical scales. Body mass index (BMI) was computed. The adolescents were stratified by sex into two groups: boys and girls, for the purpose of analysis.ResultsSeven out of 14 food choices showed significant sex differences (p values ranged from 0.016 to < 0.001) in the adolescents’ responses to whether they perceived such food choice as fast food or not. Although differences were found between sexes, the majority of the listed fast foods were correctly recognized as fast foods by the adolescents. In addition, there were significant differences between males and females in the amount of daily drinks (ml/week) consumed from full fat milk (males = l197.1 ± 27,652.1 and females = 1662.8 ± 2221, p = 0.013), sugar-sweetened beverage (males = 2350.8 ± 3324.3 and females = 3088.9 ± 3701.1, p = 0.004), and energy drinks (males = 429.5 ± 1117.2 and females = 267.6 ± 733.8, p = 0.037). Compared to adolescents who seldom or do not watch TV or use the internet, those who engage in these sedentary activities are less likely to classify pizza (aOR (95% CI) = 0.660 (0.440–0.990), p = 0.045), grilled meat (aOR (95% CI) = 0.674 (0.477–0.954), p = 0.026), fried egg sandwiches (aOR (95% CI) = 0.617 (0.425–0.894–0.189), p = 0.011), and rice (aOR (95% CI) = 0.598(0.409–0.875), p = 0.008) as fast foods.ConclusionThe influence of TV and internet use on adolescent’s ability to accurately identify fast foods has been observed. Findings indicate the need for increased fast food nutrition education programs that are tailored towards adolescents. The study recommends further research to enhance consumer awareness of foods and drinks among adolescents in the State of Kuwait.

The role of information quality in designing effective nutrition education programs for pecans

The role of information quality in designing effective nutrition education programs for pecans

Effects of a Culinary Boot Camp intervention on food/nutrition aptitudes and dietary intake of college students

Objective: College is characterized by transition, students shifting from dependence to independence in numerous roles/responsibilities. Deficiencies in food/nutrition aptitudes and dietary intake exist, evidenced by declining physical well-being and poor eating patterns/practices within the population. Studies examining interventions to improve food/nutrition aptitudes and dietary intake among college students are limited. Participants/methods: A nutrition education program, Culinary Boot Camp (CBC), was developed and delivered to college students at a land-grant university. Online surveys assessed food/nutrition aptitudes and dietary intake pre-/post-/follow-up intervention. Results: Of 86 CBC participants, 71 pre-, 46 post-, and 20 follow-up surveys were completed. Several food/nutrition aptitudes improved (p ≤ 0.05), with greatest improvements in cooking skills/attitudes and healthy eating/grocery shopping self-efficacy (p < 0.01). Additionally, dietary intake of various micronutrients (vitamin C, magnesium, potassium) and fiber increased with statistical significance (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Results suggest CBC is an effective nutrition education program to improve food/nutrition aptitudes and dietary intake amomg college students.

How does nutrition education contribute to the consumers’ use and attitudes towards food labels?

Purpose This study aims to determine the effects of nutrition knowledge on the use of nutrition facts labels in emerging adults by defining the nutrition education status. Design/methodology/approach For this cross-sectional study, 919 young adults, aged 18–24 years, were recruited. Participants trained by dietetic professional at least 2 h per week during the period of at least one education period were considered as having nutrition education. Food label use, specific circumstances and different food products were recorded. The participants were also asked about their attitudes regarding food label use with a questionnaire including 15 products. Findings Nutrition facts label is mainly used when buying a product for the first time, a product of an unknown brand or comparing different companies’ similar products, regardless of nutrition education status. Participants with nutrition education had a higher nutrition facts label use and they use the score for specific food products including breakfast cereal (p = 0.003), snacks (p &lt; 0.001), beverages (p = 0.004), ready to eat soups (p = 0.004) and diet products for special occasions (p &lt; 0.001). Mean total score of attitudes regarding food label use for participants who had nutrition education was found as 58.9 ± 6.1 and who did not have nutrition education was found as 51.7 ± 9.2 (p &lt; 0.01). Originality/value Nutrition education, which is related to the nutrition facts label use, would be especially useful in helping people for the selection of healthier foods. As habits acquired from childhood will last for a lifetime, more effective nutrition education programs and nutrition label reading education programs should be designed. The findings need to be considered for promoting nutrition facts label use by developing nutrition education.

Identification of a Framework for Best Practices in Nutrition Education for Low-Income Audiences

To promote effective low-income nutrition education programs, an expert panel of nutrition education and public health researchers built consensus around 28 best practices grouped into 5 domains (Program Design, Program Delivery, Educator Characteristics, Educator Training, and Evaluation) targeting direct delivery of nutrition education. These best practices can be used to assess program strengths, promote fidelity in delivery and evaluation, and design research to strengthen programs’ evidence base. A survey of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education nutrition education leaders helped identify staff development needs and interest relative to specific best practices. Best practices can be used to identify staff development needs among frontline educators, supervisors, and program leaders in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, and other programs targeting low-income audiences.

Design Guidelines for a Technology-Enabled Nutrition Education Program to Support Overweight and Obese Adolescents: Qualitative User-Centered Design Study.

BackgroundChildhood overweight and obesity are major health challenges in the United States. One of the recommendations to combat obesity is to maintain a healthy diet, which is often best supported by eating home-cooked meals to control cooking methods, ingredients, and portions. Diet control through home cooking is challenged because of the decline in culinary skills in the population and a paucity of effective culinary nutrition education (CNE) programs. Providing technology-enabled CNE (CNE-tech) to overweight and obese adolescents can equip them with life skills that can assist them in the future. Such skills can facilitate saving money, eating healthier, and creating social environments. In addition, CNE builds cooking confidence and food literacy that in turn can build adolescent self-efficacy, particularly toward managing their health behaviors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to inform functionalities, design requirements, and the context of use for CNE-tech that could enhance overweight and obese adolescents’ healthy food literacy, cooking confidence, and general self-efficacy with regard to self-management to ultimately promote healthy lifestyle management.MethodsThe design science study was completed in 2 distinct phases engaging overweight and obese adolescents, parents of overweight and obese adolescents, and the health care providers that treat adolescents with these conditions. Phase 2, our primary source of data, involved user-centered design methods including the following: (1) early stage prototype usability analysis, (2) semistructured interviews with 70 overweight or obese adolescents engaged in a healthy behavior program, and (3) semistructured interviews with 10 health care providers. Data were analyzed using constant comparison analysis to identify functionalities, design requirements, and inform the context of use of CNE-tech.ResultsData revealed specific desired functionalities for the CNE-tech related to building cooking skills, populating a healthy recipe database, suggesting healthy alternatives, supporting the construction of a healthy plate, and the ability to share healthy recipes and cooking accomplishments. Moreover, the adolescents provided design requirements pertaining to the presentation (eg, vivid colors, semirealistic images, and cooking sounds), use of multimedia, and gaming. Data further revealed contextual factors, such as shared experiences with family members and enhanced continued use.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the potentiality of creating CNE-tech that could effectively lead to better self-care and induce sustainable behavioral change as it facilitates skill building, self-efficacy, and a pathway that enables overweight and obese adolescents to influence cooking habits in their family home and future dwellings. Our CNE-tech–proposed solution aligns with the goals of overweight and obese adolescents and also reflects existing theories about behavioral change.

P133 The Influence of Social Support on Self-Efficacy in Eating Habits Among High School Athletes

Background Previous studies have suggested that self-efficacy and social support are factors that influence dietary behavior in adults. However, the relationship between these two factors among high school athletes has not been adequately explored. Objective This study aims to determine which factor of social support (five-factors structure) is strongly associated with self-efficacy in eating habits among high school athletes. Study Design, Settings, Participants The acquired data in this cross-sectional study were analyzed. The subjects were 109 high school athletes. The data for this study were gathered through questionnaire (that included demographic characteristics, questions regarding nutrition education, self-efficacy and social support in eating habits of athletes). Validated self-efficacy scale and social support scale were used in this study. This social support scale includes the five-factors of “Informational Support of General Nutrition,” “Informational Support for Athletes,” “Tangible Support,” “Appraisal Support by Praise,” and “Appraisal Support by Advice.” Measurable Outcome/Analysis A multiple regression was utilized to determine which factor of social support is strongly associated with self-efficacy. Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to examine the relationship between social support and nutrition education. Results The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that the most important predictive factors in the students' self-efficacy was “Informational Support of General Nutrition” (β = 0.378, P Conclusion The results of this study showed that “Informational Support of General Nutrition” is strongly associated with self-efficacy in eating habits. Further research is needed about longitudinal study of correlation between the social support and the self-efficacy. However, the finding can be used to develop effective nutrition education program to increase self-efficacy in eating habits among high school athletes. Funding None.

A comparative study on nutritional knowledge and dietary behavior between Korean and Chinese postpartum women.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESProper nutrition intake during pregnancy and lactation is very important to both mothers and babies. Pregnant women should maintain proper nutritional status to restore decreased physical strength due to pregnancy and childbirth and produce breastmilk for the growth and development of the baby. Recently, the number of Chinese people living in Korea has increased as the exchange between Korea and China becomes active. It is important to provide proper nutrition education for pregnant women of both countries considering cultural differences.SUBJECTS/METHODSThe subjects of this study were postpartum women in Gyeonggi, South Korea and Jinhua, China. The subjects were 20–45 years old less than six months after childbirth. A survey, using self-administered questionnaires, was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019. For data analysis, 221 Korean postpartum women (KPW) and 221 Chinese postpartum women (CPW) questionnaires were used.RESULTSKPW had significantly higher nutritional knowledge score and dietary attitude score than CPW (P < 0.001). However, overall score for dietary habits was significantly higher in CPW compared to KPW (P < 0.001). In KPW, nutritional knowledge (P < 0.01) and dietary attitude (P < 0.001) had significantly positive correlations with dietary habits. The proportions of KPW and CPW who answered that they had experience of nutrition education were 28.5% and 80.1% (P < 0.001). The score for dietary habits was lower as the hours for watching TV and using mobile phone became longer in postpartum women of both countries, with significant differences in KPW (P < 0.001) and CPW (P < 0.05). In KPW, the score for dietary habits in postpartum women with exercise experience was significantly higher than that in postpartum women without exercise experience (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSMore pregnancy-related nutrition education should be provided and various and effective nutrition education programs, which not only transfer information but can be practiced in the actual life, should be developed.

Nutritional status of adolescent girls in a rural area of Bangladesh: A cross sectional study

The improvement of adolescent nutritional status may help address the reduction of all forms of malnutrition in Bangladesh. This is because at this stage, they experience a growth spurt thus increasing the need for most nutrients, needed for growth and reproductive health. The objective of this research was to assess the nutritional status of adolescent girls in rural areas of Bangladesh and find out the associated factors that affects nutritional status. A cross sectional study was carried out among 106 adolescent girls of Nobabpur village in Comilla district. A questionnaire was developed to obtain demographic information, food intake pattern and anthropometric measures such as weight, height with measuring instruments. About 80% were found normal according to BMI where about 13% adolescent girls were malnourished, below the cut off value 18.5. Place of residence, education of adolescent girls, their family expenditure to food and improper knowledge on food and nutrition were identified as underlying causes. Nutritional profiles of adolescent girl can be improved by implementing effective nutrition education program, providing supplementary food, facilitating primary health care program and creating awareness about nutritional knowledge. Severely malnourished adolescent girl in the selected area should be identified as early as possible and brought under supplementary feeding program.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(3), 221-228, 2017

Nutrition and Other Protective Behaviors Motivated by Environmental Health Risk Awareness.

BackgroundResearch findings have suggested that exposure to environmental pollutants contributes to increased health risks, which may be modulated by certain nutrition and other protective health behaviors. Nutrition professionals play an important role in effectively disseminating this information and in devising specific community-based nutrition education programs for audiences located in areas with environmental health issues.ObjectiveTo assess awareness of environmental health problems and motivation to adopt protective health behaviors for use in planning nutrition education programs for communities exposed to environmental pollutants.MethodData were collected from a modified, validated Environmental Health Engagement Profile (EHEP) survey instrument administered to adults (n=774) participating in community events in Kentucky based on location relative to hazardous waste sites.ResultsThe modified EHEP survey instrument showed good internal consistency reliability, and demographic characteristics were evaluated. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlations in all groups, separately and combined, between awareness of environmental pollution in an individual’s surroundings and the extent of concern that pollutants cause adverse health effects (P < 0.01) and between concern that pollutants cause adverse health effects and taking personal actions to protect against such environmental insults (P < 0.01). The groups having the highest level of awareness posed by pollution are those residing near federally designated hazardous waste sites.ConclusionThese results suggest that determining and expanding an audience’s knowledge and perceptions of environmental health risks will enhance effective nutrition education program planning.

Assessing Intentions to Eat a Healthful Diet Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Collegiate Athletes.

Many athletes fail to obtain the optimal levels of energy and nutrients to support health and performance. The constructs underlying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) may help identify barriers to healthful eating that can be addressed in nutrition-education programs. To use the TPB to examine factors regarding collegiate male and female student-athletes' intentions of eating a healthful diet. Cross-sectional study. Online survey tool. The survey was taken by 244 male and female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletes, and data from 201 were analyzed. Mean age of the athletes was 20 ± 1.31 years (range, 18-24 years); most were white (86.1%) and female (78.6%). We assessed predictive strength of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intentions. Regression analysis evaluated how the variables of TPB were valued and how they predict behavioral intentions. The combination of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls accounted for 73.4% (R 2) of the variance in behavioral intention (F = 180.82, P < .001). Attitude had the greatest influence on behavioral intentions (β = .534, P < .001). Understanding both the intentions of collegiate athletes to eat healthfully and how highly they value nutrition is crucial for the development of effective nutrition education and counseling programs.

고등학생의 아침식사 섭취빈도와 전반적인 학교생활 인식도와의 관련성

용인시에 위치한 고등학교에 재학 중인 남녀 고등학생 301명을 대상으로 아침식사의 섭취빈도(주당 0~2회, 3~6회 및 7회)와 전반적인 학교생활(신체활동, 교사 및 교우관계, 규칙준수, 학습태도, 학업성적, 전반적인 학교생활)과의 관련성을 살펴보았다. 본 연구 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 아침식사 섭취빈도에 따른 신체활동 영향에 대한 인식도는 남학생(65.1%)에 비해 여학생(77.4%)이 높았다. 아침식사 섭취빈도에 따른 규칙준수에의 영향 인식도는 여학생이 유의적인 차이를 보인 반면(P0.01), 남학생은 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 학습태도에 대한 인식도는 ‘영향을 준다’고 응답한 비율이 남학생과 여학생에서 24.0%와 44.5%로 각각 나타났다. 아침식사 섭취빈도에 따른 학업성적에 대한 인식도는 여학생의 경우 유의적인 차이를 보인 반면(0~2회 섭취군 37.5%, 3~6회 섭취군 30.4%, 7회 섭취군 52.2%)(P0.05), 남학생은 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 전반적인 학교생활에 대한 인식도는 남학생(P0.05)과 여학생(P0.01) 모두에서 아침식사 섭취빈도에 따라 유의적인 차이를 나타냈다. 아침식사 섭취빈도와 전반적인 학교생활 간의 상관분석에서 남학생은 아침식사 섭취빈도가 높을수록 전반적인 학교생활에 대한 인식도(+0.185)(P0.05)가 가장 높았으며, 교사관계(+0.168)(P0.05), 학습태도 연관성 인식도(+0.116), 교우관계(+0.049), 학업성적(+0.029) 순으로 나타났다. 반면 여학생은 아침식사 섭취빈도가 높을수록 전반적인 학교생활에 대한 인식도(+0.323)(P0.01)가 가장 높았으며, 규칙준수(+0.316)(P0.01), 학습태도 연관성 인식도(+0.267) (P0.01), 교우관계(+0.215)(P0.01), 학업성적 연관성 인식도(+0.152), 교사관계(+0.112), 학습태도(+0.118), 학업성적(+0.065) 순으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 고등학생의 아침결식은 학교생활에서의 신체활동을 비롯하여 학습태도, 학업성적, 교사 및 교우관계 등의 전반적인 학교생활과 관련이 있는 것으로 나타났으므로 아침결식 해결을 위한 국가차원의 아침급식프로그램의 개발 및 학생 및 부모를 대상으로 한 적극적이고 효율적인 영양교육의 실시가 요구된다.

Achieving Fidelity Across Intervention Groups: A 6-Week Pilot Weight Management Study

Development of an effective nutrition education program that promotes best practices among nutrition professionals during education and evaluation of overweight/obese individuals enrolled in a weight management and mindful eating program. Overweight and obese adults 18 to 80 years of age in Northern Colorado. The “Healthy You” curriculum was developed using Social Cognitive Theory to address psychosocial factors underlying specific health behaviors with a focus on reciprocal determinism, self-efficacy and reinforcement. Application of Adult Learning Theory ensured an appropriate learning environment, activation of prior participant learning and targeted a variety of learning styles. A 6-week pilot weight management and mindful eating curriculum was developed and disseminated to 37 overweight and obese individuals divided into two intervention groups. Educator training procedures required review and discussion of instructional materials and observation of lessons being taught by an experienced instructor. An observational checklist was developed and reviewed for face and content validity. Educator fidelity was assessed by two separate observers completing the validated checklist for each class. Frequencies and percent agreements were calculated to establish inter-rater reliability and determine fidelity. Reliability was 87.5% between observers and educators ranged from 89-95% in degree of fidelity. Fidelity can be achieved across educators and reliably evaluated using a validated observation checklist.

유아의 기질 및 성격과 식행동 간의 관련성

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary behavior and temperament & character in preschool children, and to offer basic data that can be applied for nutrition education and counseling. A total of 211 parents of preschool children aged 3~5 years performed the Korean version of Preschool Temperament and Character Inventory (K-psTCI), a questionnaire based on Cloninger's seven-factor model of personality, along with a questionnaire about the dietary behaviors of their children. K-psTCI represented seven factors such as harm avoidance (HA), novelty seeking (NS), reward dependence (RD), persistence (P), self-directedness (SD), cooperativeness (CO), and self-transcendence (ST). The subjects were divided into either the high rank group or low rank group based on the mean score of each factor. The high rank group of HA showed significantly less physical activity and less appetite than the low rank group of HA. The children in the high rank of NS were more likely to have picky eating and a late night snack. The children in the low rank of SD or CO were more likely to have undesirable dietary behaviors, such as picky eating, too much snacking, and lower appetite than those in the high rank of SD or CO. In conclusion, individual temperament & character in preschool children may be associated with their dietary behavior, and understanding temperament & character in children may be important facts to screen and to develop an effective nutrition education program for children.Key words: dietary behavior, children, temperament, character

Best practices in direct nutrition education for low‐income audiences: program design and delivery (625.2)

The project objective was to identify best practices in nutrition education for low‐income audiences. Best practices are evidence‐based elements or strategies that have shown effectiveness in achieving outcomes. Utilizing best practices increases stakeholder confidence that programs will be effective in helping low‐income participants make positive nutrition‐related behavior changes. A seven‐member expert panel identified best practices criteria via telephone and electronic correspondence; the criteria were confirmed via literature review. Eight criteria were identified as characteristics of effective nutrition education programs within the following areas: a strong theoretical basis, research‐based content, emphasis on goal setting, and audience‐appropriate languages, activities, recipes, and reading level. Five criteria were identified for program delivery: the use of experiential learning and enhancement items, accommodation of learning styles, inclusion of contacts of appropriate frequency and duration, and maintenance of program fidelity. Best practices criteria for program design and delivery may promote consistency and efficacy within and across low‐income nutrition education programs.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture no. 2012‐48757‐20337

A comparative study on dietary behavior, nutritional knowledge and life stress between Korean and Chinese female high school students.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESDietary behavior and life stress in adolescence is related to growth rate and learning ability. This study was conducted to identify the relations between dietary habits, dietary attitude nutritional knowledge and life stress among high school girls in Korea and China.SUBJECTS/METHODSThe subjects of this study were 221 high school girls in Korea and 227 high school girls in China. The questionnaire were about dietary habits, dietary attitude, nutritional knowledge and life stress.RESULTSThe dietary habits of chinese girls were healthier than those of Korean girls with a significant difference (P < .001). There was no significant difference in dietary attitude between Korean girls and Chinese girls. Korean girls had more nutritional knowledge than Chinese girls with a significant difference (P < .001). Korean girls did less physical exercise but spent more time watching TV and using PCs, compared to Chinese girls. Korean girls' degree of confidence in nutrition information that they had learned and their performance in their real lives were low. Also, they had a low level of awareness of the need for nutritional education. There was no significant difference in life stress between the two groups. Dietary habits had a significantly negative correlation with life stress in both Korean and Chinese girls (P < .01, P < .001). As for Chinese students, dietary attitude had a negative correlation with life stress with a significant difference (P < .05). As for Korean girls, nutritional knowledge had a negative correlation with life stress with a significant difference (P < .05), which means as life stress was less, dietary habits were better.CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that effective nutrition education programs should include components that encourage application of learned nutrition information to real life, increase physical exercise and reduce life stress.

Effects of Nutrition Education Using Pamphlet for the Elderly Diabetes Mellitus: Focused on Individual Daily Needed Food Exchange

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a nutrition education program with pamphlet focused on personalized daily energy requirements and a food exchange system for diabetic elderly at a community health center. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Effective nutrition education program and materials are needed for diabetic elderly at a community health center. Study Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention: We developed nutrition education program and pamphlet for 4 lessons (2 hours/lesson /week, 4 weeks), and provided nutrition education with developed program and pamphlet to 26 diabetic elderly subjects (55-75 yrs). The 1st lesson ‘‘Introduction: management of diabetes mellitus,’’ the 2nd lesson was ‘‘6 Food groups of Food Exchange Table,’’ the 3rd lesson ‘‘Individual daily energy requirements and food exchange units;’’ and the 4th lesson was ‘‘Food choice for diabetic mellitus’’. Outcome, Measures and Analysis: We assessed the changes in anthropometric characteristics, biochemical characteristics, and nutrient intakes using 24-hour recall method. Results:Weight and body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased. Fast blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased. In the evaluation of nutrient intakes by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI), riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphate, and zinc were shown to affect significantly positive changes in the distribution of subjects according to intake level. The index of nutrition quality (INQ), nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean nutrition adequacy ratio (MAR) were significantly increased. Conclusions and Implications: The developed nutrition education program with pamphlet focusing on exchange units using a Food Exchange System pamphlet for diabetic elderly at the community health center may improved the symptom of diabetes mellitus. Funding: None. P179 Effect of School Gardens on Food Behavior of Children Janet K. Grommet, PhD, RD, JGrommet@brooklyn.cuny. edu, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, 11 Lincoln Place, Glen Cove, NY 11542; R. Ernest, BS

Relationships between obesity, blood and urinary compositions, and dietary habits and depressed mood in Koreans at the age of 40, a life transition period

This study was designed to investigate the relationships of depressed mood with obesity, blood and urinary compositions, and dietary habits in Koreans at the age of 40, a critical transition to the middle adulthood stage. A total of 27,684 people who have taken the Life Transition Period Health Examination at the Korea Association of Health Promotion in 2011 were divided into two groups; the depressed mood group (DG) and the non-depressed group (NG) according to results of the primary questionnaire for mental health. The results were analyzed using the health examination criteria of the National Health Insurance Corporation. Women and medicaid recipients showed higher incidence of depressed mood than men and health insurance subscribers. People with underweight in BMI or abdominal obesity showed correlation with depressed mood, while there was no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome. Regarding blood and urinary compositions, DG was related to a higher level of hemoglobin and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride, although the relationships diminished after adjustment for other confounder effects. According to dietary habits, more people in DG were categorized as a group for “Needs Much Improvement”, and the odds ratio of the depressed mood showed a significant increase. Significant difference regarding the frequency of food items such as milk products, animal proteins, Kimchi, and fruits was observed between DG and NG. In addition, a higher portion of subjects in DG did not consume regular meals and various kinds of food. In conclusion, the depressed mood of 40 year-old adults was significantly related to underweight, higher waist measurement, and undesirable dietary habits. Results of our study can be applicable as a basic resource for development of effective nutrition counseling and education programs for improvement of mental health promotion during the critical transition to the middle adulthood stage.