Integrating the Food Guide Pyramid and Physical Activity Pyramid for positive dietary and physical activity behaviors in adolescents.

摘要

A study was conducted to assess the impact of an integrated curriculum using the Food Guide Pyramid and the Physical Activity Pyramid to improve the dietary and physical activity knowledge and behaviours of 7th grade students at a mid-Atlantic ruralmiddle school in USA. Of 192 subjects, 103 (54%) were boys and 89 (46%) were girls; mean body mass index (BMI) was 24±7 and mean percent body fat was 26±11% (n=124). There was a statistically significant increase in mean preintervention (20±6) and postintervention (27±6) nutrition knowledge scores (P=0.000; 95% confidence interval (CI)=6; 8). There was also a statistically significant increase in mean preintervention (19±6) and postintervention (26±7) physical activity knowledge scores (P=0.000; 95% CI=6; 8). It is concluded that knowledge increases following the introduction of an integrated teaching strategy combining the principles of the Food Guide Pyramid and the Physical Activity Pyramid.