title: Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of israeli female combat recruits participating in a nutrition education program.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a pilot nutrition intervention program on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of female combat soldiers in basic training serving in the Israeli army and to determine changes in nutrient intake. Seventy recruits participated in the intervention. Anthropometric measurements and food frequency questionnaires were completed at 3 time points: at enlistment, at 2 months, and at 4 months. Additional questionnaires to assess nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were administered preintervention and postintervention. Baseline results indicated that intakes of calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin D were below recommended levels. After 2 months (8 weeks), suboptimal consumption of many nutrients was observed. At this time point, a nutrition education program was initiated and activities were carried out for the final 2 months of basic training. Following completion of the intervention, a marked improvement in nutrient intake was reported, accompanied by significant changes in attitudes toward healthy eating and increased nutrition knowledge. One-year follow-up evaluation indicated that approximately 20% of participants had made long-term dietary changes. In conclusion, nutrition education increased knowledge, modified attitudes, and led to dietary changes in female recruits. Programs of this type should be considered for implementation in the military.
authors.affiliation: The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100 Israel.
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herzman-Harari
authors.forename: Naama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Constantini
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lencovsky
authors.forename: Aliza H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016495:Police; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires