Impact of the American Heart Association's Heart Health in the Young Curriculum on Cardiovascular Knowledge Scores and Behavior Changes in Smoking, Exercise, and Nutrition in Eighth Grade Students
File(s)
Date
1987-05Author
Hebert, Fred
Advisor(s)
Duquette, Dr. R. Daniel
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This was a pre-test post-test experimental study. The
experimental group received 15 (45 minute) lessons from the
AHA curriculum. Pre-test and post-test scores were
recorded. The control group attended regular health
education classes between the pre-test and the post-test.
The Know Your Body Health Questionnaire for grades 6-8 was
used as a base instrument to assess knowledge change. The
Know Your Body Health Habits Survey instrument was used to
assess behavior change in the areas of smoking and exercise.
The DINE system, created by Darwin Dennison, was used to
measure nutrition change. The data was analyzed using
between group T-tests and Pearson product moment
correlations. The alpha level was established at the .05
level of significance. Results indicated significant
differences in knowledge change scores in the experimental
group versus the control group. None of the 46 subjects in
the study reported smoking behavior, makinq it impossible to
test for smoking change. Statistical significance was not
demonstrated in exercise behavior change in either group.
There was not a statistically significant correlation
demonstrated in either the experimental or the control group
between knowledge change scores and change scores in
exercise behavior. Interestingly, statistical significance
was demonstrated in diet behavior in a negative direction.
Both groups decreased their heart healthy nutritional
behavior from pre-test to post-test. The experimental qroup
also demonstrated a statistically significant correlation
between knowledge change and diet change, illustrating
decreased heart healthy diet with increased knowledge. This
was not true in the control group. The study indicates the
need for comprehensive long-term health education programs
to bring about necessary changes in health habits and
skills.
Subject
Food habits - Health aspects
Junior high school students - Health and hygiene
Health education (Secondary) - Curricula
American Heart Association