Effects of a Food and Nutrition Course on the Self-Reported Knowledge and Behavior of Preschool Teacher Candidates

This study examined effects of food and nutrition knowledge on the self-reported behaviors of preschool teacher candidates who completed a 10-week course. Self-reported information was gathered at entry, after completion of the course, and follow up 4 months after completion of the course. A paired t-test compared responses at pre, post and follow up. Preschool teacher candidates improved significantly between entry and at the end of the course for 9 of the 18 practices. Statistically significant improvements were also recorded for 13 of the 18 practices between entry and follow up. Overall, the nutrition course increased the nutrition knowledge of preschool teacher candidates. Further analyses are needed to evaluate immediate and longer effects of nutrition course, with larger samples, using more powerful research designs.