Results will provide culturally-sensitive-age-appropriate educational materials needed to effectively target Puerto Rican youth (12-14 y/o) to promote behavior changes in nutrition and physical activity. To accomplish these objectives, a nutrition education learning-by-doing program focused on promoting changes in behaviors toward healthy eating will be implemented and evaluated within Extension's 4-H clubs. The supportive general objectives are: 1) Generation of knowledge on socio-economic, cultural and environmental barriers to healthy eating and physical activity through applied research 2) Development and validation of culturally-sensitive and age-appropriate nutrition education materials (printed and computer-based) targeting these barriers 3) Pilot-testing the effectiveness of the educational materials prepared for the targeted age group 4) Measure changes in behavior through the adoption of recommended practices after using the educational materials (e.g., increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk and increase physical activity). The overall project goal is to prevent and reduce the prevalence of obesity in Puerto Rican children (12-14 y/o) through the development of culturally-sensitive-age-appropriate nutrition education materials. The need for culturally-and-age-sensitive educational materials in Spanish is imperative for the success of any obesity prevention initiative. Budget constraints to develop culturally-specific nutrition education materials for at-risk communities limit the possibilities of an effective obesity prevention program. Data reported on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2013) showed that 25.8% of adolescents were overweight or obese. doi: 10.1186/s1288-z.Non Technical Summary Childhood obesity is a major concern in Puerto Rico. Level of nutrition knowledge and its association with fat consumption among college students. Yahia N., Brown C.A., Rapley M., Chung M. College students eating habits and knowledge of nutritional requirements. Dietary patterns and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and perceived academic stress of college students in Puerto Rico. doi: 10.3390/nu10121823.įabian C., Pagan I., Rios J.L., Betancourt J., Cruz S.Y., González A.M., Palacios C., Gonzlez M.J., Rivera-Soto W.T. College students and eating habits: A study using an ecological model for healthy behavior. Sogari G., Velez-Argumedo C., Gómez M.I., Mora C. We can conclude that there are other factors inherent to students' life that may have a stronger influence on eating habits.Ĭulinary arts eating habits knowledge nutrition nutritional requirements student university.įEN Eating Habits. Nutrition and dietetics students had the best knowledge on nutrition compared to culinary management students, a majority of whom had inadequate knowledge. Most students reported having inadequate eating habits and BMI.

Eating habits were associated with knowledge on nutrition and academic program, but not with knowledge on cooking methods and techniques. Eating habits, knowledge on nutrition, and knowledge on cooking methods and techniques were inadequate in 86%, 68%, and 41% of the population, respectively. Inadequate body mass index (BMI) was observed in 59% of the students. The non-probabilistic convenience sample comprised 93 students pursuing degrees at Universidad Ana G. Anthropometric measurements were collected for nutritional status estimation. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in spring of 2019, while we completed a survey measuring eating habits and knowledge on nutrition, as well as cooking methods and techniques. We evaluated the relationship of eating habits and nutritional status of students in academic programs with knowledge on nutrition, as well as cooking methods and techniques. However, it is unknown if students enrolled in academic programs related to nutrition and culinary arts have healthier eating habits. University students frequently develop unhealthy eating habits.

Nutritional habits of puerto rico