| A descriptive study was conducted to determine if black American youths change their eating behavior following participation in a culturally appropriate intervention. A nutrition curriculum, Nutrition In Progress Program (N.I.P.P.) was developed to determine how effective it was in learning about nutrition and eating behaviors and determining whether there was a relationship between the participants' socioeconomic status (SES) and their eating behaviors; also, to assess the efficacy of the curriculum to enhance self-esteem, improve perception of exercise, define bulimia and anorexia, proper food choices, cultural enhancement and weight control. The sample population was approximately sixty-one youths ranging from 12 to 17 years of age. The research was conducted at three sites for six weeks.; A pre- and post-test questionnaire was developed to appraise the participant's level of knowledge. The data were collected at the beginning of the intervention and at the end, with the assistance of paraprofessionals. A survey was devised to assess the parent's occupation and educational level. All data were placed in an envelope and labeled to ensure confidentiality. Analyses were conducted using a statistical computing package, Statistical Package for the Sciences.; The main limitations of the study were small numbers, no reliable measure of SES and three groups not really comparable because two different time courses were used.; The results show that the older students appear to have a more positive self-image than the younger students. Once the students learned that exercise can be fun, the amount of time they spent exercising increased. Most students were able to define anorexia and bulimia. The average female beginning BMI was 25 and post BMI was 25. The average male beginning BMI was 24 and post BMI was 23. A BMI > 25 is considered overweight. |
