Nutrition Visual Tube Models for Healthy Choices in Adolescence

Seminary Room N235

Childhood obesity is a growing concern as it has reached epidemic levels. Epidemiological research shows that 31.9% of children ages 10–17 are obese in the United States where Tennessee has an even higher percent of 36.9%. Startlingly, Coffee County, Tennessee has an obesity prevalence of 41.9% in women and 37% in men. It is the researcher’s goal to conduct a Healthy Choices education intervention for 11th - 12th grade culinary arts students in Coffee County, Tennessee. The sample (n=73) consists of 30 males and 43 females from classes (n=5). Population range is 14–19 years old. Site of intervention is Coffee County Central High in Manchester, Tennessee. The inclusion criteria consist of those registered at Coffee County Central High in Manchester, TN. This four-day intervention will be taught from January 18, 2022, to January 21, 2022. The intervention will be a pre-test/post-test study design. Participants will be exposed to nutrition information, looking at visual training aids, completing a label project, and preparing a healthy snack in hopes that it will help this adolescent population to make better food choices. These positive changes could reduce frequencies of obesity-related non-communicable diseases throughout their lifespan.