University science students' knowledge of fats.
OBJECTIVE
Students entering university often lack knowledge about fats; whether students gain such information during four years at university is unclear. Students' knowledge of fat in the first and fourth years was measured and compared. The effect of a nutrition course on knowledge was also examined.


METHODS
A total of 215 science students at a small undergraduate university completed a 15-item, closed-ended questionnaire concerning knowledge of fats in the diet.


RESULTS
Fourth-year science students have greater nutrition knowledge of fats than do first-year science students (p<0.005). Given that the majority of first-year students reside on campus and the majority of fourth-year students reside off campus, the purchasing of food and preparation of meals may explain the senior students' greater knowledge of fat. Students who have taken a nutrition course know more about fats than do those who have not (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Taking even one course in nutrition greatly increases nutrition knowledge. Universities could encourage undergraduate students to take a basic nutrition course, which should emphasize the identification and understanding of different types of dietary fats.
Mazier
M J Patricia
MJ
Department of Human Nutrition, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS.
McLeod
Sheena L
SL
D000328:Adult; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires