Nutrition education in Missouri schools.

This survey examined the status of nutrition education in Missouri schools, profiled teacher preparation in nutrition, and identified teacher preferences for additional nutrition education resources. Questionnaires were mailed to a systematic sample of 1,664 teachers representing different grade levels K-12 and subject areas including biological science, health, home economics, and physical education. Responses from 793 teachers indicated most integrated nutrition into other subjects such as health and science. Almost all taught the concept of food groups. Teachers expressed a need for materials on a range of concepts and preferred the videotape format. About one-third of elementary teachers reported completing a college-level nutrition course: 70% of secondary teachers had completed such a course. Results indicate the need for materials to integrate nutrition into various subjects and encourage teaching on concepts beyond the food groups.