An Approach to Improving Science Knowledge About Energy Balance and Nutrition
Among Elementary- and Middle-School Students |
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| Authors: | Nancy P Moreno James P Denk J Kyle Roberts Barbara Z Tharp Michelle Bost William A Thomson |
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| Institution: | *Center for Educational Outreach, Baylor College of Medicine, 1709 Dryden, Suite 545, Houston, Texas 77030;;†Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030; and;‡Department of Technology and Cognition, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203 |
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| Abstract: | Unhealthy diets, lack of fitness, and obesity are serious problems in the United
States. The Centers for Disease Control, Surgeon General, and Department of
Health and Human Services are calling for action to address these problems.
Scientists and educators at Baylor College of Medicine and the National Space
Biomedical Research Institute teamed to produce an instructional unit,
“Food and Fitness,” and evaluated it with students in grades
3–7 in Houston, Texas. A field-test group (447 students) completed all
unit activities under the guidance of their teachers. This group and a
comparison group (343 students) completed pre and postassessments measuring
knowledge of concepts covered in the unit. Outcomes indicate that the unit
significantly increased students'' knowledge and awareness of science
concepts related to energy in living systems, metabolism, nutrients, and diet.
Pre-assessment results suggest that most students understand concepts related to
calories in food, exercise and energy use, and matching food intake to energy
use. Students'' prior knowledge was found to be much lower on topics related
to healthy portion sizes, foods that supply the most energy, essential
nutrients, what “diet” actually means, and the relationship between
body size and basal metabolic rate. |
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| Keywords: | energy balance nutrition elementary-school students middle-school students science knowledge |
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