Nutrition lessons improve Hispanic teenage girls' knowledge

Abstract

Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among Hispanic teenage girls were assessed before and after a nutrition education intervention. We found that subjects were consuming several important nutrients at levels below current government recommendations. On average, Hispanic teenage girls consumed folate, calcium, zinc and iron at levels that were 40%, 36%, 18% and 8% below current recommendations, respectively. Participation in the five-lesson nutrition education program resulted in a 50% increase in nutrition knowledge and modest changes in dietary behavior; we observed improved dietary intake of vitamin C. Long-term interventions are needed to improve dietary habits as one means of enhancing overall health.