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Positive Impact of a Brief Nutrition Education Intervention on Underserved Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Meyers MJ, Mount MK, and Ammerman S

Objective: A pilot study to assess the impact of a small-group, behavior-based brief education intervention, on the nutrition and food buying habits of low income, at-risk adolescents' dietary and food purchasing habits. Methods: Low-income at-risk adolescents (N=19) were recruited from three "mobile clinic" affiliated partner sites. Individual pre- and post- intervention dietary intake and food purchasing data were collected via 24-hour recall and shopping purchase logs respectively. The intervention focused on discussing food choices, nutrition principles, identifying food healthfulness, and creating alternative snack lists. Results: Dietary recall data showed an increase in protein consumption (p=0.01); slight increase in dairy, fruit and grain; and decrease in vegetable consumption. Shopping trip data showed decreases in calories, protein, sugar, fat, and sodium, and increases in fiber. Conclusions and Implications: This small-group, brief intervention highlights a positive impact of nutrition education on the dietary and food buying habits of a cohort of lowincome, at-risk adolescents, and demonstrates the utility and potential efficacy of similar interventions in improving the nutritional health of underserved adolescents.