Forums | MPASA

03 May 2011, 14:46

My Capstone is a program evaluation studying if and how elementary-level nutrition education programs affect the current behaviors of Westchester County public high school students.  In the context of the child obesity epidemic in the United States, this research aims to shed light on the impact that nutrition education programs students attend actually has.  Specifically, whether it helps them to have more positive attitudes towards being healthy and leads them to smarter behaviors related to their health.  As concerns about the problem of childhood obesity continue to grow nation and state-wide, the impact of nutrition education programs students attend in the public school system should be explored to determine if they are offering programs that positively impact student nutrition and healthy behavior. 

Working with Somers High School in northern Westchester County, I gathered information about the specifics of the curriculum to understand the structure and breadth of the nutrition education program as it stands.  Subsequently, with permission of the students' parents, I administered questionnaires to students enrolled in the school's Wellness Class.  Respondents ranged from grades 10 to 12.  Additionally, I interviewed the district's health educator who teaches the Wellness Class and has taught all levels of Health district-wide. I found that over the course of Somers' nutrition education program beginning in the intermediate school (grades 3-5) and culminating in the high school, students learn factual knowledge about the topic that they retain.  Also, based on student responses, the program also has a positive impact on eating habits and also, but to a lesser extent, their exercise habits.

I hope this is helpful to future students!

Thank you,

Marisa Annunziata