Head Start teachers score low on a nutrition knowledge quiz and have unhealthy eating habits themselves, according to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The study assessed self-reported nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Head Start teachers from one of the organizations in Harris County, Texas. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive analysis using baseline surveys in the 2008 to 2009 school year. A sample size of 181 Head Start teachers, made up of mostly female (97%) and minorities (93%), completed surveys of their nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, weight status and other weight-related behaviors.
Results showed 24% of the teachers were overweight and 55% were obese. One-fourth of the teachers (26%) did not eat fruit or vegetables, (23%) the day before. Additionally, 53% of the teachers reported consuming french fries, 44% consumed soda and 28% consumed fried meat at least once the on the previous day.
Surprisingly, only 3% of the teachers answered at least four of the five nutrition knowledge questions correctly. A little more than half (54%) thought it was difficult to know what nutrition information to believe with only 9% reporting their nutrition habits were healthy. Seventy-one percent of the teachers said they were trying to lose weight, and 81% said they would like to weigh less.
The study highlights the importance of providing nutrition education and wellness opportunities to Head Start teachers so that they can better teach nutrition education to their students, most of which are from low income families where they are more affected by the obesity epidemic.
The study assessed self-reported nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Head Start teachers from one of the organizations in Harris County, Texas. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive analysis using baseline surveys in the 2008 to 2009 school year. A sample size of 181 Head Start teachers, made up of mostly female (97%) and minorities (93%), completed surveys of their nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, weight status and other weight-related behaviors.
Results showed 24% of the teachers were overweight and 55% were obese. One-fourth of the teachers (26%) did not eat fruit or vegetables, (23%) the day before. Additionally, 53% of the teachers reported consuming french fries, 44% consumed soda and 28% consumed fried meat at least once the on the previous day.
Surprisingly, only 3% of the teachers answered at least four of the five nutrition knowledge questions correctly. A little more than half (54%) thought it was difficult to know what nutrition information to believe with only 9% reporting their nutrition habits were healthy. Seventy-one percent of the teachers said they were trying to lose weight, and 81% said they would like to weigh less.
The study highlights the importance of providing nutrition education and wellness opportunities to Head Start teachers so that they can better teach nutrition education to their students, most of which are from low income families where they are more affected by the obesity epidemic.
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