Date of Graduation

12-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Johnson, Kelly V

Committee Member/Reader

Osborne, Cara

Committee Member/Third Reader

Scott, Allison

Abstract

Childhood obesity has remained a persistent problem over the years, according to Potts and Mandleco (2011). Children who are overweight by age 8 are more likely to be obese adults, which can lead to many chronic conditions and diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between nutrition knowledge and body mass index (BMI). For this study, a normal BMI for an average fourth-grader is defined between the 5th and 95th percentile with a BMI less than 22. A pre-test was given to a sample of twelve fourth-grade students attending Prairie Grove Intermediate School using select questions from the “Catch Kids Club After-School Student Questionnaire”. A nutritional education session was provided to all participants after the pre-test using the “U R What U Eat” chart. A post-test was offered using the same selected questions as in the pre-test. Information uncovered by the pre and post-test studies was used to compare the knowledge of smart food choices to determine students’ understanding of nutrition. The goal of this study was to increase knowledge about food smart choices, and see if there is a difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. The outcomes of this study explored the changes in students’ knowledge of healthy foods concerning the nutritional value of smart food options.

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