Healthy Eating for Life English as a second language curriculum: primary outcomes from a nutrition education intervention targeting cancer risk reduction

J Health Psychol. 2013 Jul;18(7):950-61. doi: 10.1177/1359105312457803. Epub 2012 Oct 1.

Abstract

We conducted a pre-post feasibility trial of Healthy Eating for Life, a theory-based, multimedia English as a second language curriculum that integrates content about healthy nutrition into an English language learning program to decrease cancer health disparities. Teachers in 20 English as a second language classrooms delivered Healthy Eating for Life to 286 adult English as a second language students over one semester. Postintervention data are available for 227 students. The results indicated that Healthy Eating for Life is effective for increasing fruit and vegetable intake as well as knowledge, action planning, and coping planning related to healthy eating. Participants also achieved higher reading scores compared to the state average.

Keywords: communication; eating behavior; health behavior; health education.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Curriculum
  • Diet / psychology
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Vegetables
  • Young Adult