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Developing a strategy for understanding adolescent nutrition concerns
R J Amos1, S Pingree, S Ashbrook
1Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
Adolescence
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Nutrition educators can better engage adolescents by understanding their unique needs and perspectives. This approach moves beyond one-way information delivery to create relevant nutrition education materials adolescents will use.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Education
- Communication Theory
Background:
- Disseminating nutrition information to adolescents is challenging.
- Traditional "one-way street" methods are often ineffective.
- Adolescents need to relate nutrition messages to their own lives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine adolescents' perceived nutrition concerns using a communication theory model.
- To identify how adolescents navigate food, nutrition, and eating situations.
- To inform the design of effective adolescent nutrition education.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Brenda Dervin's "sense-making" theory.
- Interviewed adolescents aged 14-16 across six states.
- Identified situation "movement states" to understand adolescents' coping mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Adolescents' personal situations concerning food and eating were recorded.
- Qualitative "movement states" revealed how adolescents dealt with nutrition-related issues.
- The "sense-making" approach provided insight into adolescents' perceived nutrition needs.
Conclusions:
- The "sense-making" theoretical base can help nutrition educators identify adolescent needs.
- This approach can guide the development of more relevant and effective nutrition education materials.
- Understanding adolescents' perspectives is key to successful nutrition communication.
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