An assessment of the nutrition education of students in grades 3 to 12.
A proportionally stratified sample of Louisiana students was surveyed to determine their nutrition knowledge as influenced by selected variables. The 3,309 students in grades 3 to 12 were interviewed individually. A pretested questionnaire was used. Nutrition knowledge was assessed by a test of 15 selected nutrition concepts and the identification of the basic food groups needed daily. A majority of students judged the study of nutrition in school to be important. However, only 40.5% of the sample reported currently studying this science, with 15% studying it as a separate subject. Home and television were most frequently named as informal sources of nutrition information. The mean score on the test of nutrition concepts was 10.3. The number of subjects studied in which nutrition was included did not affect scores. A positive relationship existed between scores and grade division (3 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 12), correct identification of food groups needed daily, and number of sources and activities used to learn about nutrition. Thus, nutrition instruction which is varied, innovative, and includes student participation does improve knowledge of this science.