Harris, Lynn (author), Keim, Kathryn S. (author), Liddil, Audrey (author), Ruby, Mary Lou (author), Stimpson, Janice (author), and University of Idaho, Boise Center
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07897
James F. Evans Collection, Ham, Mimeographed, 1994. 1 p. Presented at the Society for Nutrition Education, Portland, OR, July 16-20, 1994., To develop a nutrition education program that will result in behavior change, one must know the current food intake behavior and nutrition knowledge base of the consumer. This descriptive study assessed the current nutrition knowledge base of consumers concerning fiber food sources and fiber-health relationships and food intake reflective of fiber sources. A survey was developed, piloted and mailed to 1,003 randomly selected households using a modified Dillman method. The survey included knowledge questions and food frequency and demographic information. A total of 466 usable surveys (52% usable return rate) and analysis of variance, form the basis of the following results. Sixty-six percent of the respondents were female and 34% were male. The majority were over the age of 30 (88%) and 66% had more than a high school education. Consumers with vocational training and come college education (mean +or- SD, 4.1 +or- 1.6) had a significantly higher knowledge score (score range 0-7) concerning food sources of fiber and fiber-health relationships than those who had a high school education (3.9 +or- 1.6) (p < 0.05). There was a trend of more fiber containing foods being consumed as the age of the consumer increased (p=0.057). When looking at food intake by food group, females consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables than males (p<0.05). From this information it should appear that extension nutrition about food sources of fiber and fiber-health relationships should target younger, non-college educated consumers and especially men.
